Honoring Maestro Vladimir Spivakov

On Nov. 12, I had the pleasure of hosting a beautiful reception for Maestro Vladimir Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra before the orchestra’s performance at Symphony Center.

About 150 guests attended the reception, all of whom were true lovers of the arts, as well as representatives from several Russian newspapers and a radio station.

Maestro Spivakov spoke to about the guests about the evening’s program and the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, which supports artistic education and provides humanitarian aid to children.

The event was held The Club at Symphony Center, which is truly an elegant space with a magnificent view.

After the reception, we all attended the concert, which included violin solos by Maestro Spivakov and piano solos by Alexander Ghindin. I thought both Maestro Spivakov and Mr. Ghindin were both brilliant and full of energy and spirit, and it seemed like the entire audience was mesmerized by the performance.

Chicago Classical Review called the concert, “a brisk evening of dazzling encores, soloists, neglected repertoire and music from the old country.”

I was pleased that we were able to receive sponsorship from Birg & Meltser Attorneys at Law, as well as in-kind donations from Falcon Graphics and Puerto Viejo wines.

As co-chair of the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, it is always wonderful when we can bring cultural icons from Moscow here to Chicago to help increase awareness in the United States of Russia’s outstanding contributions to the arts.