The Russian National Orchestra was founded by conductor and pianist Mikhail Pletnev in 1990, following sweeping changes in the former Soviet Union. Under his artistic leadership, the orchestra soon achieved international renown and established its hallmarks of innovation and excellence. In 2008, a panel of international critics named the Russian National Orchestra one of the world's top orchestras. And, in recognition of both its artistic quality and its pioneering structure, the Russian Federation recently awarded the Russian National Orchestra the first-ever grant to a nongovernmental orchestra. World-renowned pianist Daniil Trifonov will be joining the orchestra for this performance. Trifonov won the gold medal of the 2011 Tchaikovsky Competition and has been performing in recitals nonstop since.