'Night Serenades' classical music fest to celebrate anniversary edition

Internationally renowned musical artists will convene in Georgia’s seaside city of Batumi and capital Tbilisi starting this Sunday for an anniversary edition of the International Festival “Night Serenades”, led by acclaimed violinist Liana Issakadze.

In five concert events between August 26 and September 4, the festival will lend its stage to artists including pianist Alexander Korsantia, conductor Vakhtang Matchavariani and bandoneonist Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi.

Composer Josef Bardanashvili, whose 70th birthday will be marked with a performance of his Serenade for violin and string orchestra, will be honoured within the program in both cities of the event.

Violinist Geza Hosszu-Legocky has been invited to be among headliners of the event. Photo: Night Serenades Facebook page.

Violinists Gia Iashvili and Geza Hosszu-Legocky, as well as guitarist Zsòfia Boros are also on the headlining roster, while Virtuosi of Georgia have been selected as the chamber orchestra for the event.

Led by artistic directors Liana and Giorgi Issakadze, Night Serenades performances will be hosted at the Concert Hall of Sheraton Batumi Hotel in the Black Sea city and the Grand Hall of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire.

Giorgi Issakadze told reporters at festival press conference organisers had selected a program involving both dramatic and romantic works while also noting the importance of inviting Georgian-born artists now working abroad.

Also at the press event, conductor Vakhtang Matchavariani noted the rarity of Georgian performances for works like Serenade for Strings by Antonín Dvořák and the chamber orchestra by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Czech guitarist Zsòfia Boros has played the instrument since the age of six and released three albums. Photo: Night Serenades Facebook page.

The conductor told the media the festival would be an opportunity for classical music enthusiasts in Georgia to hear these pieces.

Founded in 1983 in Georgia’s north-western region of Abkhazia, the festival was restored in the resort town of Borjomi following the armed conflict in the former in the early 1990s.

It assumed its current form in Batumi in 2000s and has hosted artists and bands including pianist Yuri Povolotsky, clarinetists Alex and Daniel Gurfinkel and German conductor Justus Frantz.

Founder Liana Issakadze, born in Tbilisi, played her first solo violin concert at age 10 in 1956.

Austria-based Georgian violinist Gia Iashvili will present her project Opera Fantasia and perform at the festival. Photo: Night Serenades Facebook page.

Her career was heavily influenced with support and advice from the famed Soviet violinist David Oistrakh, with the emerging artist working as his assistant for two years.

The recipient of the 1965 Grand Prix from the Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud International Competition in Paris, Isakadze was also awarded first place at the 1970 Jean Sibelius International Violin Competition in Helsinki.

A violinist and conductor, Isakadze has been distinguished for her performing career with the titles including People's Artist of the Soviet Union and the Order of Honour of Georgia.