Russian classical music has a proud history of
celebrated composers, conductors and musicians. For
aficionados of classical music and for those who
will be visiting Russia and Ukraine's historic
concert venues, we've created a overview of this
cherished art form. Included is a brief history of
classical music in Russia, CDs, LPs and mp3s with
the works of great Russian composers, as well as a
list of must see concert halls.
Classical music in Russia can be broken down
into several different periods of the
Classical, Romantic,
and Soviet eras. Throughout
each period, Russian and Soviet conservatories
have produced numerous celebrated composers, as
well as a wealth of renowned musicians and
conductors.
Some of Russia's most recognized musicians include
pianists Vladimir Horowitz, Sviatoslav Richter
and Emil Gilels, violinists David Oistrakh and Gidon Kremer, as well as one of the greatest
cellists of the 20th century, Mstislav Rostropovich.
Western music tradition was
originally introduced to Russia by Czar Peter the Great in the early 18th century as part of his reforms to modernize
Russian society. During the reign of subsequent
Russian rulers, the imperial court invited many
prominent Italian musicians who brought with
them Classical traditions of
opera, chamber music and symphony. While this
foreign influence helped inspire Russia's early
Classical musicians, Russian composers were also
sent abroad to refine their skills. A few of the
early Russian / Ukrainian composers of the Classical period include the
likes of Maksim Berezovsky, Dmitri Bortniansky,
and Artem Vedel.
It didn't take long until a number of Russia's
Classical composers started to use native music
traditions (Russian themes and tunes, Russian -
vernacular language) in their own compositions.
The first to do so was Mikhail Glinka, the
"father of Russian Classical music". Glinka
helped pave the way for a new generation of
Russian composers who's works - based on Russian history,
folk tales and literature - are regarded
as Romantic Nationalism. The
most famous composers of this style, belonging
to a group known as The Five (1856-1870),
included Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, César Cui,
Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
Alexander Borodin
Modest Mussorgsky
Rimsky-Korsakov
Another, more conservative, organization of
the same era was the Russian Musical
Society (RMS). Founded by brothers
Anton and Nikolai Rubinstein in 1859, the RMS
sought to broaden music training and raise
musical standards in Russia. A forerunner to both
the Saint Petersburg (1862) and Moscow (1866)
Conservatories, the RMS was an integral catalyst
to professional music education in Russia.
Training from Russia's new
conservatories, along with inspiration and
tutelage from "The Five", helped develop many
great Romantic era composers of the 19th and
early 20th centuries. A few familiar names
include the great
Peter Tchaikovsky,
Sergei Rakhmaninov, Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Scriabin,
and
Sergei Prokofiev.
Peter Tchaikovsky
Alexander Scriabin
Sergei Rakhmaninov
Radical social changes of the 1917 Russian
Revolution brought about sweeping changes
in Russian music. While some of Russia's great
composers and musicians fled abroad, others
stayed behind and embraced experimental
Avant-Garde style compositions. In 1923, the Association for
Contemporary Music (ACM) was founded by Nikolai Roslavets as a means to
facilitate and promote modernist,
Avant-Garde
music.
The Avant-Garde period, while innovative, was
fairly short-lived. By the early 1930s
experimental, ultra-modern forms of art,
including music, fell out of favor with Joseph
Stalin. The Soviet leader favored the style of
Socialist Classicism, music
that could be scrutinized and kept within
the conforms of the broader Socialist policy.
A few distinguished names of early Socialist
Classicism included composers Prokofiev and
Dmitri Shostakovich. Falling under the scrutiny
of the Union of Soviet Composers
(established in 1932), Prokofiev and
Shostakovich, like all Soviet composers of the
era, were restricted from outside influence and
expected to create patriotic scores, supportive
of Communist ideology.
Anyone experimenting or deviating from the norm was branded a "formalist",
as was the harsh criticism towards Shostakovich after the 1934 release of his opera
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.
The main stage for the Moscow Philharmonic Society,
the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall is one
of the centers of musical and
cultural life in Moscow. Officially
opened in 1940 (to celebrate the one
hundred year anniversary of Peter
Tchaikovsky's birth), the recently
renovated, state-of-the-art concert
hall can seat 1505 spectators and
hosts roughly 300 performances per
year. Apart from concerts
staged by the Moscow Philharmony and
local artists, the concert hall also
hosts different international music
festivals and invites some of the
most famous troupes and orchestras
from around the world as well.
Founded by Nikolai Rubinstein in 1866, the Moscow Conservatory
(now Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory
- named in honor of the school's
former professor), is one of the oldest
music education institutions in
Russia. Not only a conservatory,
it is also a splendid concert venue
- recognized for its tradition,
perfect acoustics and wonderful
decorations. Consisting of the Grand
Hall and four chamber halls (Small
Hall, Rachmaninov Hall,
Myaskovsky Hall and Conference Hall),
the conservatory plays host to
regular concerts, festivals and
competitions (including the
Tchaikovsky Competition), attracting some of the world's best
soloists, orchestras and ensembles.
Also known as the Moscow
International House of Music or Palace of Music,
the Moscow International Performing Arts Center (MMDM) was formerly opened in 2002.
The entire complex consists of three halls plus an outdoor musical
terrace for summertime concerts. Svetlanovsky
Hall (1699 seats) is designed for
concerts of classical and popular music.
Chamber Hall (556 seats) is specifically
designed for chamber music performances.
Theatre Hall (up to 524 seats) is quite
versatile, staging various concerts, shows and presentations. The Performing Arts Center
is home to the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the State Chamber Orchestra
"Virtuosos of Moscow" and the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra "Russian Philharmony".
It is also home to a giant, German
built organ consisting of 6000 metal and wooden pipes.
The Palace of Unions (Dom Soyuzov) is
one of the most historic buildings
in all of Moscow. Comprised of 4
halls - Hall #1 (Round Hall), Hall
#2, October Hall and the Hall of Columns
- it is the latter that has been
playing host to symphony concerts
since Nikolai Rubinstein first
staged a performance for the Russian
Musical Society in 1860. Since then
the Hall of Columns has not only
hosted world class concerts, but
important conferences and political
assemblies, as well as memorials for
Soviet leaders.
Opened in 2002 by legendary soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, the center gives recent
graduates of musical conservatories
the opportunity to work
with some of the biggest names in Russian opera.
Housed in a modern facility, the 336
seat theatre stages a diverse
repertoire that not only includes
full operas, but symphony and chamber orchestra concerts
as well.
One of the most popular concert
and theatre halls in Moscow, the
classical theatre building has long
been a center of modern culture in
Russia's capital. Although it has
only operated as "Yauza Palace"
since 2008, its role as a "public
palace of culture" has been intact
since the theatre's 1903
construction. Historic location of
Russia's first KVN comedy show, the
palace's four, newly renovated
concert halls now play host to a
myriad of artistic events - from theatre and opera performances, symphony and chamber music concerts,
to modern dance, jazz, rock and folk shows.
A relatively new venue, Concert
Hall "Mir" is a state-of-the-art
facility with seating for 923
spectators. Its repertoire is quite
diverse - ranging from classical
music concerts and jazz festivals,
to drama theatre, musicals, rock and
pop concerts, children's shows, and
more.
One of the most well-known
concert halls in Russia and all of
Europe, the
Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall is
bursting with history and prestige.
It is home to the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic
Society (Europe's oldest, established
in 1802) and plays host to two world renowned
symphony orchestras - the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Russia's
oldest, formed in 1882) and the
Saint Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra
(founded in 1931). Built in 1839,
the hall itself has been the center
of Russia's musical life since the
1840s. With seating capacity for
more than 1500 people, and an
exquisite interior, its a treat to
take in a concert and experience a
part of Russia's cultural heritage.
The "Small Hall" of the Saint
Petersburg Philharmonic Society was
inaugurated on May 15, 1949. Located
on Nevsky Prospekt in the home of
Prince Vasily Engelhardt, the
building - as it stands today -
dates back to 1830. Currently the
Glinka Small Hall stages concerts of
classical and contemporary chamber
music and is the site of many
international music festivals and
competitions.
As old as Saint Petersburg
itself, the State Academic Capella
occupies a special place in the
history of Russian musical culture.
It was here that Russian
professional art got its start, and
it is here where you can still find
exemplary concerts of choral, organ,
symphony and chamber music. Built in
1889 on the bank of the Moika River,
the Capella building is an
architectural masterpiece for both
its acoustics and decorative
properties. Its the perfect venue to
not only see performances of the
world renowned State Academic
Capella, but one of many
international festivals as well.
Annual music festivals (many which
have become tradition) include: the Organ Music Festival,
the Neva Choral Assemblies, the Schubert Festival,
and the S.V. Rakhmaninov Festival.
address: 20, Reki Moiki naberezhnaya, St Petersburg
Built between 1783 and 1787, the
Hermitage Theatre is one of the
oldest theatres in all of Russia. One of five
Hermitage buildings along the Palace Embankment
of the Neva River, it served as a living theatre
but for a brief time - until the death of Catherine
the Great in 1796. It wasn't until
its 1989 restoration that it was
reopened for theatrical
performances. Today it is considered
one of the best chamber music
theatres in the world playing host
to opera, ballet, orchestral and chamber music
concerts.
address: 34, Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya, St Petersburg
The House of Composers Concert
Hall is home to a professional and
creative music association known as
the Saint Petersburg Union
of Composers. Founded in
1932 (under the name Union of
"Soviet" Composers), the
organization moved into its current
location at the historic 18th
century mansion of Princess Gargina
in 1948. Since then the hall has
been staging symphonic, chamber and
instrumental concerts as well as
various music festivals.
address: 45, ulitsa Bolshaya Morskaya, St Petersburg
Perhaps one of the most unique
"concert halls" found in Saint
Petersburg is the Cathedral of
Smolny Convent. Exhibiting a baroque
exterior (1764) and a neo-classical
interior (1835), the cathedral was
designated a concert hall in 1982
and became home to the newly
established Smolny Cathedral
Chamber Choir in 1991.
Performing a diverse repertoire of
works from Russian and foreign
composers to Russian folk songs,
the ensemble has distinguished
itself as one of the finest choirs
in the city. In addition,
famous symphony and chamber orchestras, renowned vocalists, dancers, and children's choirs
also perform in the white-pillared hall of Smolny Cathedral.
Built for Catholic knights of the Maltese Order,
the Maltese Chapel was added to the
left wing of the Vorontsov Palace in
1800. With seating to accommodate up
to 1000 people, it has
been staging concerts of organ music
since 2006. Centerpiece of each
concert is the historic German built
Walcker organ - installed in 1909. Vocal, string and
orchestral ensembles (and soloists)
also regularly accompany the organ,
performing a diverse range of classical and
contemporary works.
Presently called the National
Philharmonic, and/or the Kiev
Philharmonic, the building
(built in 1882) originally went by the name Merchants' House.
Used by the Merchants' Assembly for
all sorts of cultural gatherings, it
was particularly recognized for musical performances due to its
amazing acoustics. The
State Philharmonic
Society was bequeathed the damaged,
but still standing concert hall
after the Germans' retreat in 1944.
Since that time the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine
(as its officially called) has used the
facility to stage a wide range of
programs. In the main concert hall,
known as the Lysenko Hall of Columns,
visitors can enjoy
a full season of concerts by Symphony and Chamber Philharmonic Orchestras,
folk ensembles, plus
various music festivals and competitions
with distinguished national and international participants.
Located in St. Nicholas Roman
Catholic Cathedral (built in 1909
and restored in 1980), the National
House of Organ and Chamber Music of
Ukraine is a splendid Gothic style
church outfitted with a specially
designed Rieger-Kloss pipe organ.
Performances include organ recitals,
plus choral, string and orchestral ensembles.
address: 77, Velyka Vasylkivska (Chervonoarmiyska) street
Follow the links below to find information about
regional concert halls and classical music venues throughout Russia, Ukraine
and nations of the former Soviet Union.
