Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic”
“Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic” knows how to breathe new life into the well-known compositions and executes classical music in its expressly exemplary manner” (“Moscow News”)
Season 2011-2012 – 11th season in history of Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic”. In 2000 the Moscow City Government founded the Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic”. It is the first and the only Moscow City full symphony orchestra over the centuries-old history of the capital, continuing to realize the goal of turning Moscow into cultural capital of the world. Since foundation till 2004 Alexander Vedernikov was orchestra's chief conductor and artistic director, since 2006 – Maxim Fedotov, since 2011 – Dmitri Jurowski.
The concerts of the orchestra (usually there is a full house) take place at the State Kremlin Palace, Grand Hall of the Conservatory, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Svetlanov Hall of MIHM. Since 2002 “Russian Philharmonic” is resident orchestra of Moscow International House of Music. The orchestra gives more than 40 concerts at MIHM annually. Only in Moscow the orchestra gives about 80 concerts per season. Its repertoire includes Russian and foreign classics, works by modern composers.
Confirming the status of the orchestra of new millennium, “Russian Philharmonic” implements large-scaled innovative projects. For instance, cycle for children “Fairy tale in Russian music” (“Fairy tale about Tsar Saltan”, “The Golden Cockerel” with the participation of theatre and cinema actors). It’s unique musical performance with using up-to-date light projection techniques. Besides light and music performances for children with slide and video effects there has been implemented two more major projects: Aida by G. Verdi, opera recital, when all space of the concert hall was plunged in the atmosphere of Ancient Egypt; and Carmina Burana, cantata by C. Orff using masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bosch, Bruegel, and Durer. The orchestra is not afraid of experiments, but it never distorts the essence of compositions, making excellent quality the corner-stone.
High professionalism of the orchestra is based on masterly execution of both experienced musicians (there are People’s and Honoured Artists of Russia in the orchestra’s cast) and young musicians, many of them are International Competitions PrizeWinners.
Orchestra management implements music projects together with world-famous celebrities: J. Carreras, M. Caballe, R. Alagna, J. Cura, D. Geringas, D. Hvorostovsky, N. Lugansky, D. Matsuev, Kiri Te Kanawa, etc.
The orchestra prepared and performed a number of remarkable and memorable projects – joint concert of “Russian Philharmonic” with musicians of “La Scala” orchestra; world premiere of the composition Glory to St. Daniel, Prince of Moscow written it especially for the orchestra by outstanding Polish composer K. Penderecki; premiere of cantata Gurre-Leider by A. Schoenberg with C. M. Brandauer; Russian premiere of opera Tancredi by G. Rossini. With the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexiy II and the Pope Benedict XVI the orchestra arranged and played two concerts with the choir and orchestra of Julia Chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica (the Vatican City). The orchestra annually participates in Vienna Balls in Moscow, in celebration of the Victory Day and the City Day.
“Russian Philharmonic” constantly enlarges its repertoire, and it has become a tradition to perform Christmas Festival, “Viva Tango!” and “Guitar Virtuosos” concerts, a number of concerts devoted to great musicians of contemporaniety (L. Pavarotti, A. Babadzhanian, M. Magomaev). To the 65th anniversary of Victory together with A. Pakhmutova the orchestra prepared charity concert “We Make a Bow to Those Great Years”.
The orchestra takes part in the annual International Opera Singers Competition of Galina Vishnevskaya, in the First International Russian Opera Festival named after M. Mussorgsky, and International Music Festival “Svetlanov Weeks”, International Bach Music Festival in Tver.
“Russian Philharmonic” is the only Russian orchestra which musicians represented Russia in “All Stars Orchestra” performed at famous Arena di Verona on September 1, 2009 and Asia Pacific United Symphony Orchestra (APUSO) performed at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York on November 19, 2010. Since season 2009-2010 “Russian Philharmonic” has its season ticket “Golden Pages of Symphony Classics” at Svetlanov Hall of MIHM. The orchestra also participates in season tickets of Moscow State Philharmonic Society.