From Cliburn to Kantorow: A Celebration of Tchaikovsky
The Symphony joins The Gilmore for the World Premiere of American Sputnik and a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Alexandre Kantorow. Friday, May 1, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. Choose Tickets 🠆PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Program and Details
American pianist Van Cliburn instantly shot to superstardom after winning the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. At this year’s Festival, experience the World Premiere of a new one-act monodrama by American composer Evan Mack and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell, exploring the impact of Cliburn’s historic win on his own life and on global culture. American Sputnik features baritone Joseph Lattanzi and Cleveland International Piano Competition-winning pianist Stanislav Khristenko dually portraying the role of Cliburn, joined by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra under Music Director Julian Kuerti.
After intermission, 2024 Gilmore Artist Alexandre Kantorow — who followed in Cliburn’s footsteps as a winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition — joins the Kalamazoo Symphony to perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2, one of the concertos that helped Kantorow earn his victory at the competition.
This concert is presented by The Gilmore. All tickets purchased are subject to their ticket policies.
Evan Mack & libst. Mark Campbell
Commissioned by The Gilmore & Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Piotr Tchaikovsky
Artists
The Symphony joins The Gilmore for the World Premiere of American Sputnik and a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Alexandre Kantorow.
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Ticketing Information
- All tickets are sold through The Gilmore and subject to The Gilmore’s ticket policies.
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