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Great hall Concerts by Russian National Orchestra

wo Beijing concerts by the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) early in February will be under the baton of world-class pianist/conductor Mikhail Pletnev. The concerts, also featuring famed young Chinese pianist Li Yundi, will be staged at the Great Hall of the People. During the concerts, Li and the RNO will perform Chopin's No. 1 Piano Concerto.

Founded by Mikhail Pletnev just 11 years ago, the much-in-demand RNO is today in the forefront of world orchestras. International critical acclaim ensures that its concerts are usually sold out, and it enjoys further popularity for its award-winning recordings. It was the first Russian orchestra to perform at the Vatican and to tour Israel. And it was the first ensemble in Russia since 1917 to be independent of government control and wholly supported by private funding. Governed by a distinguished multinational board of trustees, it has won the support of corporations, foundations and individuals around the globe.

International tours throughout the 1990s saw the RNO appear in the United States, Asia and Europe, and it took part in major global festivals in Edinburgh, Lucerne, Sydney and at the 1996 Olympics Arts Festival in Atlanta. After debuting at the annual BBC Promenade Concert in London in 1996, London's Evening Standard music critic wrote: "They played with such captivating beauty that the audience gave an involuntary sigh of pleasure."

Venue: Great Hall of the People
Date: February 3 and 4
Admission: RMB1,000, 800, 500, 300, 200, 100
Reservations: 8528-2509/10/31
Information: 8528-2264; 8528-2532.