Classical, contemporary sound fused by Georgian artists in Berlin show

Timeless classical works and contemporary experimental sound will come together at Konzerthaus Berlin in Germany’s capital later today, as pianist Dudana Mazmanishvili the Georgian Sinfonietta orchestra and DJ Irakli Kiziria join conductor Kristjan Järvi for a show.

Intended as one of cultural events held in the run-up to Georgia’s participation as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, the concert will host listeners to modern interpretations of works by classical composers.

Estonian-born, United States-based Järvi will present Too Hot to Handel, his 2018 take on the Concerti Grossi by baroque era composer George Frideric Handel.

Pianist Dudana Mazmanishvili is based in Berlin and has received plaudits from critics and competition judges. Photo: Dudana Mazmanishvili Facebook page.

The concert will also feature the Piano Concerto in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as Valse-Boston by celebrated contemporary Georgian composer Giya Kancheli and the piece New York Songs by Järvi himself.

The roster for the show includes Mazmanishvili, a recipient of the Dorothy MacKenzie Award at the International Keyboard Festival and the Nadia Reisenberg Award in New York City, among other prizes.

The Berlin-based artist’s performances have been called "staggeringly virtuosic and powerful" by music critic Harris Goldsmith in a piece for Classical Music Review.

The Georgian Sinfonietta is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. Photo: Georgian Sinfonietta Facebook page.

The Georgian Sinfonietta, an orchestra group formed in 2008, has performed at venues in Georgia and abroad, including the Chamber Hall of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Munich High School of Music and Theatre in Germany.

It is also the founder of the Tbilisi Baroque Festival, the first ever baroque music festival in the Caucasus.

Irakli Kiziria is known to contemporary and experimental music enthusiasts through I/Y, his collaborative project with producer Yacoub Chakarji.

Irakli Kiziria (right) is known to listeners through his collaboration with producer Yacoub Chakarji. Photo: discogs.com.

Based in the German capital, the duo has have produced works involving atmospheric techno sounds and released their work on labels including Fracture.

The Berlin show is organised by the Festival Young Euro Classic, the Embassy of Georgia in Germany, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and the Georgian National Music Centre.