Vladimir Ashkenazy has announced a tour to his motherland with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in November. It will mark the summit of his five years as music director. Russians, he says proudly, ‘could learn something from this orchestra’.
Prepare for an interesting cultural exchange.
meets 
This is not the first Aussie orch to visit Russia: Melbourne Symphony were apparently there in 2003.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra travelled to St. Petersburg in 2003. Best wishes to the SSO for a great tour.
tks!
The Sydney Balalaika Orchestra performed in Moscow in 2011.
No, Norman, not “apparently” – the MSO was in St Petersburg. I was, too. And very successful the orchestra was, too.
Best,
Michael.