TSINANDALI FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIFTH EDITION, WITH RETURN OF WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS AND THE PAN-CAUCASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA
31 AUGUST – 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
©Pavel Platonov
- In a region plagued by conflict, the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra transcends division, comprising musicians from Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and other Caucasus countries
- Led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, the orchestra opens the festival in a programme of Schumann and Tchaikovsky, before returning in four further concerts
- Soloists include pianists Mao Fujita, Julien Quentin, Nobuyuki Tsujii and thirteen-year-old Tsotne Zedginidze. Violinists include Lisa Batiashvili, Marc Bouchkov, Augustin Hadelich and cellists Gautier Capuçon and Zlatomir Fung
Established as one of the leading and most distinctive music festivals in the world, the Tsinandali Festival returns for its fifth consecutive edition of 11 days of outstanding music making at the stunning Tsinandali Estate in Georgia.
At the heart of the Festival is the inimitable Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra, which brings together young musicians from across the Caucasus region to perform with leading conductors and soloists. The PCYO has been praised as an inspirational cultural symbol bringing hope to a region long riven by discord.
The Tsinandali Estate is situated in the Kakheti area of Georgia in the heart of its wine country – a region of exceptional natural beauty. With two concert halls, a museum, hotels and restaurants, all in a beautiful park, the scenic surroundings make for a stunning location which continues to draw the world’s top classical musicians.
On 31 August the PCYO open the festival performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto with soloist Yefim Bronfman and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 led by Gianandrea Noseda – one of the most sought-after conductors today. The orchestra returns on 3 September with Augustin Hadelich and violist Amihai Grosz and on 6 September with Mao Fujita and conductor Manfred Honeck, followed by two more concerts on 8 and 10 September – the last of which concludes the Festival in style with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, played by Lisa Batiashvili, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 in C major.
Celebrating great music and musicians remains at the heart of the festival. To that end, there will be a Rachmaninoff Anniversary Marathon celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth, which will double as a tribute to Lekso Toradze – the Georgian-born American pianist known for his spectacular readings of the classical piano literature who died last year. Taking place on 2 September, it will comprise five concerts of piano-based chamber music over 10 hours.
Another central theme of the Tsinandali Festival is supporting emerging talent, providing young promising musicians with an extraordinary platform to showcase their prowess. This year sees the young composer and pianist Tsotne Zedginidze performing on 1 September.
The Tsinandali Festival will see a host of international classical stars performing together in a range of lunchtime and evening concerts. All programmes have been curated by the Festival’s joint Founders & Artistic Directors, Martin Engstroem and Avi Shoshani.
Martin Engstroem and Avi Shoshani comments:
“We are delighted to present another edition of the Tsinandali Festival. The Festival has quickly established itself as a celebration of not only great artists who love to appear here, but as an agent for hope as it brings together young artists from across the region to live, rehearse, listen and create something that will not only change them but also all who experience them. We are indebted to the vision and support of George Ramishvili and his team.”
George Ramishvili, Chairman of the Silk Road Group & Chairman and Founder of the Tsinandali Festival comments:
“The work of the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra continues to play an essential role across our ever more conflicted continent. The PCYO will demonstrate again this year the necessity of art and collaboration, setting an example for those elsewhere. The idea at the heart of their music making is that the best way to prevent war is dialogue and through their musical dialogue they continue to represent the best of the Tsinandali Festival.”
Yerkin Tatishev, Founder and Board Member comments:
“The Tsinandali estate has become a watering hole for the finest classical musicians from across the globe whilst remaining a region of spectacular beauty. The festival is a place for people – especially young people – to exchange ideas, perform music and celebrate its power in an exciting and liberating environment.”
David Sakvarelidze, General Director of the Tsinandali Festival, comments:
“The Tsinandali Festival quickly became recognized as an essential event in the Georgian cultural calendar, with both national and international acclaim. It has welcomed some of the most prominent figures in the music industry, earning the festival a reputation for its exceptional programming and dazzling performances. The Tsinandali Festival is helping to establish Georgia as a vibrant cultural hub on the global stage.”
For more information on the festival please visit https://tsinandalifestival.ge/