The Russian National Orchestra Wind Quintet
The Russian National Orchestra Wind Quintet has been described by the press as "youthful and versatile musicians, acclaimed for their innovation and virtuosity". The ensemble received top honors in the May 2005 Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions in the chamber music world, earning the Quintet the distinction of being the first Russian ensemble ever to win the top prize.
Led by RNO Principal Flute Maxim Rubtsov, the RNO Wind Quintet includes the orchestra's Principal Bassoon Alexey Sizov, oboist Vitaly Nazarov, clarinetist Alexey Bogorad and French horn player Alexey Serov, a founding member of the quintet. The RNO Wind Quintet's extensive repertoire includes works for quintet, for ensembles with additional instruments and with dancers, and for wind instruments and orchestra. The ensemble performs works composed by Andrey Rubtsov, the young composer-conductor who was a founding member of RNOWQ.
The RNO Wind Quintet has toured widely since its 2000 debut, with performances in Russia, Spain, Bermuda, Asia and the United States, where it has toured with trombonist and composer Chris Brubeck and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Its concerts have been featured on Russian television and radio. The ensemble has premiered numerous works in Russia, including Hindemith's Concerto for Woodwinds, Harp, and Orchestra, Chris Brubeck's Crescent City Suite and Andrey Rubtsov's Three Moods.
Active in youth outreach, the Russian Wind Quintet has performed its special arrangements of Peter and the Wolf and Wolf Tracks in Russia, Bermuda, the USA, the UK and Singapore for delighted audiences of all ages. Narrators for these performances have included actors Diana Douglas and Sean Dill, Russian model Tatiana Sorokko, Singaporean violinist Min Lee, and BBC anchor Seva Novgorodtsev.
In Summer 2005 the Russian Wind Quintet toured the East and West Coasts of the United States.
In March 2009, the ensemble will premiere a new arrangement of Peter and the Wolf, composed for RNOWQ by Andrey Rubtsov. The concert, to benefit New York's Columbia Presbyterian Children's Hospital, will be narrated by Gregg Whiteside, classical music host on WRTI Philadelphia and previously one of New York City's most popular radio hosts. Wolf expert Maggie Howell of Salem New York Wolf Conservancy will lead the audience question and answer session, following the concert. In conclusion, the musicians will lead the audience in a Wolf Howl.
Also in March 2009, the RNOWQ with soloist Maxim Rubtsov will lead a charity benefit entitled "Moscow Meets Manhattan," at New York's Middle Collegiate Church. The program, curated by contemporary dancer Germaul Barnes and featuring organist Cameron Carpenter, will benefit Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS and Dancers Responding to AIDS.