Southeastern Louisiana University

Chamber Orchestra's Fanfare concert features trio of guest artists

Contact: Christina Chapple

10/20/06

Above, from left, Raisa Voldman, Ruslan Biryukov, and Eugene Andrusenko

     HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University Chamber Orchestra joins the Fanfare 2006 arts line-up on Oct. 30 with a concert of Beethoven and American pops.

     The orchestra’s 7:30 p.m. concert at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will feature a trio of guest artists – cellist Ruslan Biryukov, violinist Eugene Andrusenko, and pianist Raisa Voldman – who will perform Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto.”

     Under the baton of director Yakov Voldman, the orchestra also will perform Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture,” and works by American composers such as Aron Copland and Leroy Anderson.

     “This will be a very entertaining concert that will showcase the technical ability of all of our orchestra members,” Voldman said. “And there will be a surprise soloist with a special treat at the end.”

     Voldman is looking forward to welcoming the soloists, especially Andrusenko, a violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005.

     “He is the son of my best friend and grew up with my own son,” Voldman explained. “I was his first teacher. Today, he plays with the best orchestra in the world.”

     Andrusenko has been a full time member of the Vienna Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005. He also performs an extensive repertoire of chamber music with outstanding musicians such as cellist Orfeo Mandozzi, clarinetist Kurt Franz Schmid and pianist Marino Formenti.

     Born in Kishineu, Moldova, Andrusenko received his music education in Kiev. His substantial solistic repertoire has led to numerous concerts worldwide and in Kiev, Moscow, and other cities in the former Soviet Union.

     Andrusenko was a first prize winner at the “Internationaler Competition for Violin Monastery Schöntal” in Germany in 1990 and won third prize at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in England in 1991. In 1996 he became a member of the Niederösterreichischen Tonkünstlerorchester and in 2004 completed his violin studies with distinction at the Viena Conservatory.

     Heralded as a “charismatic performer” who captivates his audiences with his artistry, virtuosity, sensitivity and passion, cellist Biryukov represents a new generation of creative professional musicians whose artistic level is recognized not only by awards, but also by a worldwide audience. 

     Known for his "superb artistry, passion and individuality," Biryukov has performed in more than 20 countries, including countries in the former USSR, Europe and the United States. He has collaborated with internationally renowned artists such as Midori, Kirill Rodin and members of the Ysaye String Quartet, and has been a master teacher in music festivals in Europe and Russia. He also has held teaching positions at the Ippolitov-Ivanov State Institute of Music in Moscow and the Music Academy in Lovran, Croatia. 

     Biryukov’s creative artistic ideas are based upon the tradition he learned from prominent artists such as Kirill Rodin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniil Shafran, Natalia Gutman, Janos Starker, Steven Isserlis, Luis Claret and Eleonore Schoenfeld. 

     Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Biryukov received his formal music education at Baku Music Academy, Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory, and the USC Thornton School of Music. 

     Raïsa Voldman is a staff accompanist at Southeastern. She holds degrees from Herson
Music College and Kishinev State University of Art, both in the former USSR. Her postgraduate courses in Moscow were under the direction of Professor D. Bashkirov.

     Ms. Voldman's professional career includes performing as a concert accompanist for Russian radio and television in Moldova and teaching at the College of Music and the Conservatory in Kishinev. In the United States, she has served as an accompanist for Balter University, Loyola University, and the Indianapolis Ballet.

     Tickets for the Southeastern Chamber Orchestra are $5 for adults, and $3 for senior citizens, Southeastern alumni, faculty, and staff. The concert is free for all students. Tickets are available at the Columbia box office, 220 East Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 543‑4371. Box office hours are noon to 5 p.m., weekdays, and one hour before performance time for events at the Columbia Theatre.

For additional information about Fanfare 2006 events, visit columbiatheatre.org or call 985-543-4366.