June 12: John Malkovich & Aleksey Igudesman in The Music Critic at The Symphony - North American Orchestra Premiere with the Oregon Symphony in Portland

John Malkovich in The Music Critic at The Symphony
Written, conceived, and conducted by Aleksey Igudesman

North American Premiere with the Oregon Symphony on June 12 

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 7:30pm
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | 1037 SW Broadway | Portland, OR
Tickets & Information 

More information: www.themusiccritic.com

John Malkovich stars in The Music Critic at the Symphony – a show in which classical music, theater, and comedy collide – written, conceived, and conducted by Aleksey Igudesman, with the Oregon Symphony on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 7:30pm at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway). This performance follows their highly successful cross-country U.S. tour of The Music Critic for chamber ensemble, and marks the first time the duo will perform the show with an orchestra in North America.

In The Music Critic, writer and composer Aleksey Igudesman fuses the sardonic and straight-faced humor for which legendary actor John Malkovich is renowned with his own slapstick and out-of-the-box zaniness. Equipped with a frivolous potpourri of musical insults, Malkovich slips into the role of the evil critic who believes the music of Beethoven, Debussy, Brahms, Ravel and the like to be weary and dreary. Aleksey Igudesman and the Oregon Symphony beg to differ and fight back, determined to avenge some of the most brilliant pieces of music which were railed and reviled by critics at their premieres, in this evening-length show.

As the Music Critic, John Malkovich batters, insults, and laughs at the music of composers like Rachmaninoff, Schumann, Dvořák and more, whose works premiered to jeers and negative press for performers and composers alike. Malkovich even attempts to take over the conductor‘s baton, claiming that conducting is a profession for charlatans. The fun doesn‘t end there, as the audience then experiences The Malkovich Torment, a piece that Igudesman wrote based on a truly horrific review – of none other than John Malkovich himself.

John Malkovich says, “I have always loved the opportunity to collaborate on The Music Critic with Aleksey Igudesman and many other gifted and thoughtful musicians. We are happy to present an evening which consists of some of the greatest compositions in the history of classical music, paired with the perhaps rather unexpected initial reactions those compositions elicited from some of the world’s renowned music critics, along with some other surprises.”

Aleksey Igudesman says, “The Music Critic is a project very close to my heart and bringing the orchestral version to the U.S. is something I dreamed of since its inception. My dear friend John Malkovich in the role of the evil critic is despicable and lovable at the same time and evokes the critic in every one of us.”

Tanja Dorn, Principal of Dorn Music, which is exclusively managing and booking the project, says, “We are thrilled to finally be bringing this insightful and hilarious show in its version with orchestra to audiences in the United States. Aleksey and John have created a brilliantly witty and creative evening of comedy and music making.”Official Trailer:

Press Room: https://bit.ly/TheMusicCriticPressRoom

 Exclusive Worldwide Management and Booking for “The Music Critic:”
Tanja Dorn & Anthony Acocella, Dorn Music LLC www.dornmusic.com

Announcing US Tour of The Music Critic Starring John Malkovich - Written and Conceived by Aleksey Igudesman - October 2023; June 2024

John Malkovich in The Music Critic
Written and conceived by Aleksey Igudesman

Announcing US Tour
October 17-28, 2023; June 2024

Watch the Trailer: https://youtu.be/tXEfvkVJ-38

The Music Critic Album Release Date: October 27, 2023 (EuroArts/Warner)
Album information: www.euroarts.com/labels/6572-music-critic

For more information: www.themusiccritic.com

New York, NY -- John Malkovich stars in The Music Critic – a show in which classical music, theater, and comedy collide – written and conceived by Aleksey Igudesman, in a US tour which runs from October 17 to October 28, and continues in June 2024. The tour coincides with the release of The Music Critic album digitally and on CD on October 27, via EuroArts/Warner Music.

In The Music Critic, writer and composer Aleksey Igudesman fuses the sardonic and straight-faced humor for which actor John Malkovich is renowned, with the slapstick and out-of-the-box zaniness of renowned comic duo Igudesman & Joo. Igudesman, who is joined on the tour by longtime collaborator pianist Hyung-ki Joo, is determined to avenge some of the most brilliant pieces of music which were railed and reviled by critics at their premieres.  

Legendary actor John Malkovich performs in this evening length show where he batters, insults, and laughs at the music of composers like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Schumann and more whose works premiered to jeers and negative press for performers and composer alike. In addition to Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo, they are joined by cellist Antonio Lysy, violist Hsin-Yun Huang, and violinist Claire Wells.  

John Malkovich says, “I have always loved the opportunity to collaborate on The Music Critic with Aleksey Igudesman, Hyung-ki Joo, and many other gifted and thoughtful musicians. We are all happy to be back on the road, and for the first time also in the USA, participating in an evening which consists of some of the greatest compositions in the history of classical music, paired with the perhaps rather unexpected initial reactions those compositions elicited from some of the world’s renowned music critics, along with some other surprises.”

Aleksey Igudesman says, “The Music Critic is a project very close to my heart and bringing it to the USA is something I dreamed of from its inception. My dear friend John Malkovich in the role of the evil critic is despicable and lovable at the same time and evokes the critic in every one of us.”

Tanja Dorn, Principal of Dorn Music, which is exclusively managing and booking the tour, says, “We are thrilled to finally be bringing this insightful and hilarious show to audiences in the United States.  Aleksey and John have created a brilliantly witty and creative evening of comedy and music making.”

Tour schedule:

Benaroya Hall, Seattle WA – October 17, 2023
Presented by the Seattle Symphony

Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles CA – October 20, 2023
Presented by Live Nation

Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas – October 21, 2023
Presented by AT&T Performing Arts Center

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, Texas – October 22, 2023
Presented by Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin, Texas – October, 23, 2023
Presented by Long Center for the Performing Arts

Filmore Theatre, Detroit, MI – October, 25, 2023
Presented by Live Nation

Chicago Theatre, Chicago IL – October 26, 2023
Presented by Live Nation

The Beacon Theatre, New York, NY – October 28, 2023
Presented by Live Nation

US Premiere of The Music Critic at the Symphony – with the Oregon Symphony
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR – June 12, 2024
Presented by the Oregon Symphony 

Official Trailer:

Press Room: https://bit.ly/TheMusicCriticPressRoom

 Exclusive Worldwide Management and Booking for “The Music Critic:”

Tanja Dorn & Anthony Acocella, Dorn Music LLC www.dornmusic.com