Russia is strongly featured in this final concert of the Annecy Classic Festival 2013. It couldn't be any other way given this line up - with one of the best orchestras from the country, the skilled conducting of Yuri Temirkanov (Evgeny Mravinsky's worthy heir and a protector of a kind of "Russian tradition") and a prodigy pianist nicknamed "the Bear of the Ural mountains" (Denis Matsuev).

In this program Sergei Rachmaninov is highlighted through two emblematic works: charming Symphonic dances, Op. 45, characterized by rich and fine motives and the highly passionate Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 performed by Denis Matsuev. This extremely difficult work of also deep intimacy depicts the figure of a tormented composer who finally emerges from his lethargy and again enjoys life.