Kiev National Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra July 25, Vladimir Kozhukhar conducting in Takemitsu Memorial Hall -- Ballad (Pormbescu), Concerto No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor, Op. 99 (Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, 1906-75), featuring Atsuko Tenma; Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathetique" (Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, 1840-93)
The Kiev National Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra under Vladimir Kozhukhar was founded in 1834 by the City of Kiev, and placed under the administration of the National Opera and Ballet Theater in 1926. This was the 70-member orchestra's second visit to Japan.
Ukraine is more fortunately circumstanced than its immensely larger neighbor bordering it on the north and east. Russian language, culture and music are highly influential in Ukraine, and particularly in Kiev. The nation has remained relatively independent, though, of the political and economic turbulence which has lost its former partner numbers of its renowned artists and ensembles. The stable cultural life of the capital city of 4 million is enhanced to this day by the presence of the chamber orchestra and two symphony orchestras of the national philharmonic, a national broadcasting orchestra, an operetta orchestra, an orchestra for educational concerts, and the orchestra of the national opera and ballet.