Shortly after Russia’s failed military coup and Mikhail Gorbachev’s resignation in 1991, the Russian people faced several questions about the fate of the country.

The music community was among those wondering where its future lied.

“When the old system in Russia collapsed, many musicians were left wondering what was going to happen,” violinist Gil Shaman said. “[During this time] Mikhail Pletnev decided to get some musicians together and create an orchestra. It’s a success story of the new Russia.”

Pletnev’s idea resulted in the creation of the Russian National Orchestra, Russia’s first orchestra since 1917 with no financial support from the government.

Under the direction of award-winning pianist and composer Pletnev, the Russian National Orchestra is the first Russian orchestra to play at the Vatican in a private concert for Pope John Paul II and has played at several venues throughout Europe and the US.

As the only American currently performing with the Russian National Orchestra, Shaham is enjoying his three-week tour with the ensemble. However, at the end of the tour, Shaman will go back to his home in New York, while the other members of the Orchestra will go back to Russia — again in turmoil — and face musical uncertainty.

“Pletnev knows Yeltsin personally and has some strong opinions about him and the government,” Shaman said. “But of all of the musical organizations, the Orchestra is set up well and independent. Not all music organizations were this way — many were dependent on the government just as everything else was. It should be OK.

“But it’s all very exciting,” Shaman said. “On one hand, it’s a bit scary because anything goes. On the other hand, it’s exciting because of the same reason. The people can take charge and make things happen.”

During his 26 years, Shaman has spent only two weeks in Russia when he and Pletnev recorded together in Moscow. These two weeks may not qualify him as a Russian government critic, but he has had plenty of experience with politically and socially unstable countries.

Shaman, born in Champaign, Ill., grew up in Jerusalem, Israel — a country that has seen more war in violence in this century than almost any other.

“Maybe I’m really optimistic, but now is actually a time of hope,” Shaman said. “It’s really the first time in history where the future is left up to the people.”

When he wasn’t playing soccer and going to school, Shaman played the violin. Since his professional career began at age 17, Shaman has played with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

“I don’t know why I began playing,” Shaman said. “I suppose now I’m at the point where I can philosophize about it and say something like the violin makes a sound like the human voice, but I don’t know. When I was growing up, my brother played the piano and I just wanted to be different.”

By now, Shaham is used to being different and faces challenges everyday, such as overcoming the language barrier.

“I studied Russian once,” Shaham said. “But not very much. Most of our communication is a broken mix of Hebrew, German, Russian and English. But we get around it and work pretty well together.

“It’s kinda funny actually,” he added. “One night we were getting ready for a sound check in Carnigie Hall and I looked over at the viola section and saw a big bottle of vodka. That’s how you know where you are.”

The Russian National Orchestra featuring violinist Gil Shaham will be performing at Stephens Auditorium Saturday night at 7:30.

Tickets are $13, $17, $20 for ISU students and $26, 34, 40 general admission and are available through the Iowa State Ticket Office and all TicketMaster locations.