If one were to ask, “Which was the first Russian composer to take the world by storm, whose works are among the most popular in the entire classical repertoire?”, the name Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky could easily come to mind.

Tchaikovsky is undoubtedly one of the most loved and renowned composers in the world, and his music is known to exude strong emotions.

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra’s rendering of two of this brilliant man’s works during its first Grand Orchestral Concert of the year is sure to do just that.

Brian Schembri will conduct the concert, which will take place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Saturday.

The two works that form the programme are the Symphony No. 6, Pathétique, and his Violin Concerto that will feature the internationally acclaimed Franco-Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulovic as soloist.

Tchaikovsky’s compositions comprise the most beautiful of melodies that stir forceful emotions within the listener’s soul. This late-Romantic composer was able to clearly express his personal emotions and experiences through his music, and, although he was already world-renowned, his life was not an easy one due to his homosexual tendencies. In fact, his Pathétique is imbued with motifs that reflect the composer’s intimate and personal pain.

Even though Tchaikovsky himself described his sixth and final symphony as “the best thing I ever composed or shall compose”, it is indeed considered by many to be his greatest work.

Tchaikovsky died less than a week after its premiere.

The most beautiful of melodies that stir forceful emotions within the listener’s soul

However, one must understand that it was not meant as a suicide note, despite the fact that it revolves around death. Proof of this are the letters he wrote around the time of composing this symphony stating his great aspirations for the future.

The audience will be pleasantly entertained by the virtuoso violinist Radulovic in his take on Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, which is considered to be one of the best examples of a technically taxing piece within a violinist’s repertoire.

Brian Schembri with his 1986 classmates – baritone Juha Suominen (left) and tenor Oleg Kulko (right), with the Tchaikovsky monument and Moscow Conservatory in the background.

However, Radulovic’s sprightly and indefatigable spirit is the perfect ingredient for the successful execution of such a devilishly demanding piece.

This concerto is brimming with typical Russian tunes, and the third movement is a breathtaking finale comprising fiery violin gymnastics that requires speed-of-lightning vigour and skill from the soloist, which Radulovic undoubtedly possesses.

MPO principal conductor and artistic director Schembri is well suited as conductor for these works since he has a great affinity with Russia. He furthered his music studies there, spending a total of eight years during which he was able to collaborate with great Russian composers and musicians, while experiencing the country’s culture and way of life that is so different to ours.

In this way, Mro Schembri is quite surely one of the few Maltese who can really understand Tchaikovsky’s reasoning and feelings, and is able to transmit this through the execution of his music.

The Grand Orchestral Concert is being held at the MCC on Saturday at 7.30pm.

☐ Tickets may be obtained by e-mail: bookings@mcc.com.mt or by calling 2559 5750. For further information, visit www.maltaorchestra.com. The MPO is also providing complimentary shuttle service from Valletta Waterfront.