The Russian National Orchestra was founded by the conductor and pianist Mikhail Pletnev in 1990, following sweeping changes in the former USSR. Under his artistic leadership, the orchestra soon achieved international renown and established its hallmarks of innovation and excellence. In 2008, a panel of international critics named the Russian National Orchestra as one of the world's top orchestras.  Gramophone magazine called the first Russian National Orchestra CD release in 1991, of music by Tchaikovsky, "an awe-inspiring experience; should human beings be able to play like this?" The orchestra now presents a stunning recording of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2.