A Musical Exchange With the Best Russia Has to Offer

Nate Chinen. NY Times

(...) Mr. Raykhelson, born in St. Petersburg, was the evening's third major presence; it was the United States premiere of his "Jazz Suite for Viola, Saxophone, Piano and Orchestra" that comprised the second half. He played the piano on that piece, which began with a faint hint of Gershwin and tumbled on through a bright, ricocheting swing, a stately tango, a waltz and a chiaroscuro lament.

Mr. Raykhelson's suite marked the only part of the concert that integrated the two ensembles fully, and the only time the big band put aside its bombast for lucid color. Roughly halfway though, the piece called for viola and tenor saxophone together, and Mr. Bashmet and Mr. Butman rose to the challenge, with a perfect, haunting unison.