Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin Cancels All-Russian Program in Support of Ukraine

On February 26 and 27, Vladimir Jurowski is to lead the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin and cellist Alban Gerhardt in two concerts — and has changed the programming following this week's events in Ukraine.

Instead of the Slavic March by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ensemble will perform the Ukrainian National Anthem based on a melody by Ukranian composer Mychajlo Werbyzkyj (1815-1870), in addition to Werbyzkyj's Symphonic Ouverture No. 1.

"I did not consider the beginning of the military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine possible until the last time," Jurowski wrote to VAN Magazin. "I am deeply saddened by this action but also extremely sad because I am connected to both countries through my family history. I hope peace will be restored as soon as possible. With the change of programming for our concerts this weekend, we want to set a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people."

You can purchase tickets to the concert, here.

Born in Moscow in 1972, Jurowski first studied at the Moscow Conservatory. In 1990, he relocated with his family to Germany, continuing his studies at the Musikhochschule of Dresden and Berlin, under Rolf Reuter and Semion Skigin. He has served at the helm of the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester since Autumn 2017 and also serves as the General Music Director of the Bayerische Staatsoper.

In 2021 he stepped down from his fifteen-year tenure as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, to become their Conductor Emeritus, and from his decade as Artistic Director of the Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra, to become their Honorary Conductor.