Denis Matsuev, Aydar Gaynullin, Andrey Ivanov, Sofia Turina, Alexander Zinger, Matvey Blumen, and Daniil Gulevich in Irkutsk

Every year, the virtuoso Russian pianist Denis Matsuev returns to the Siberian city of his birth as artistic director of the groundbreaking “Stars on the Baikal” Festival. The international music festival takes place in the Irkutsk State Musical Theater, on the banks of the idyllic Lake Baikal, one of the earth’s most astonishing natural wonders. There talented musicians come together to present programs of diverse musical repertoires, including jazz, classical music, and everything in between. The concert program “Classic and Jazz” mixes traditional jazz with improvisations on the themes from classical music.

Photo: Denis Matsuev © Pavel Antonov