New Zealand will have the chance to see the work of renowned Russian photographer Lev Melikhov when his photos of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra tour with the orchestra in June.

Melikhov captured the NZSO during its May tour, creating what NZ art dealer Peter Webb calls "a stunning collection" of dramatic black and white images. New Zealand will have the chance to see the work of renowned Russian photographer Lev Melikhov when his photos of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra tour with the orchestra in June.

Melikhov captured the NZSO during its May tour, creating what NZ art dealer Peter Webb calls "a stunning collection" of dramatic black and white images."He has a painter's eye and a great feeling for tone," says Webb. "The greatest difficulty is choosing which ones to exhibit."

Melikhov's previous portraits include world figures such as Mikhail Gorbachev and Alexander Solzhenitsyn. He is widely exhibited in Europe and his works are held in collections in Russia, Europe, Asia and the US.

Melikhov is donating 39 images to the NZSO Foundation Endowment Fund, which supports the orchestra's long-term financial security and development goals. The signed, limited edition prints will be displayed for sale at NZSO concerts in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The images capture relaxed moments of humanity amid the intensity of rehearsal.

Foundation advancement manager Gendie Somerville-Ryan says they record the relationship between the camera, the photographer, the instrument and the player. "They use their instruments and he uses his camera, both making their own kind of music," Somerville-Ryan says.

No stranger to the inner circle of Russian musical culture, Melikhov counts viola virtuoso Yuri Bashmet and members of the Bolshoi Ballet among the friends he has previously photographed.

Despite having worked in places as diverse as Siberia and the Philippines, Melikhov says he finds the variety of landscapes he saw on his New Zealand visit "shocking" - in a good way. "It is the most super-crazy, fantastic country. I see a bit of everything here - Ireland, Scotland, Hong Kong, all in one place."

All 39 images of the NZSO can be viewed at www.nzso.co.nz.

6/6/07