With the Russian National Orchestra, the unconventional pianist, composer and conductor Mikhael Pletnev established a daring flagship of Russian performing arts. Over twenty years later, this ‘wonder of the perestroika’, the only Russian Orchestra to create a sensation without any kind of state support, really is the very best from Russian soil. The orchestra proves this with a compelling suite from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and with Rachmaninoff’s notorious third piano concerto. A concert in the Christmas spirit, therefore, as Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake has grown to become the ultimate Christmas ballet, even though the theme ‘to die for the love of your life if need be’ has very little to do with Christmas.