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