Night & Day

Wednesday
April 1
Don't be fooled by the name. There's nothing nationalistic about the Russian National Orchestra. Founded by pianist/conductor Mikhail Pletnev in 1990 -- postglasnost -- the hot, young ensemble is Russia's first orchestra since 1917 to be independent of the government. Master marketer Pletnev attracted Russia's finest musicians through a very democratic method: auditions. In 1991 the orchestra hit the road and toured the West, including a gig at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. Tonight they are joined by violinist Gil Shaham -- already a veteran at age 26. Born in Illinois but raised in Israel, Shaham returned to the United States as a teenager to study at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. He has since appeared as a soloist with major orchestras all over the world. On the bill: Glazunov's Violin Concerto in A minor, Liadov's Three Fairy Tales for Orchestra, and Prokofiev's Symphony no. 5 in B flat major. The music starts at 8:00 p.m. at Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler St. Tickets range from $20 to $70. Call 532-3491. (