Moscow City Symphony Orchestra
“Russian Philharmonic”

“…Moscow City Symphony Orchestra “Russian Philharmonic” knows how to breathe new life into the well-known compositions and executes classical music in its expressly exemplary manner” («Moscow News» # 40, 2007)

The Moscow City Symphony Orchestra "Russian Philharmonic", the first and the only big Moscow symphony orchestra in the centuries-old Moscow history was established in 2000 by the Moscow City Government aimed at making Moscow one of the world’s leading cultural metropolises. The orchestra was led by Alexander Vedernikov since its first days till 2004.

In June 2006 People’s Artist of Russia Maxim Fedotov, world-known violinist, named “Russian Paganini” in the West, became the artistic director and the chief conductor on the invitation of Gayane Shiladzhyan, orchestra CEO and Honoured Culture Worker of Russia. Since 2002 Moscow City Symphony Orchestra “Russian Philharmonic” is located in the Moscow International House of Music (Vladimir Spivakov is MIHM President).

The orchestra played more than 300 concerts in MIHM in the past 5 years. It also performs in the Big Hall of Moscow Conservatory and Chaikovsky Concert Hall. “Russian Philharmonic” includes small symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, brass band, string ensemble and chamber groups as well.

The orchestra's high professionalism is based upon mastery of both experienced artists (People’s and Honoured Artists of Russia) and young musicians (many of them are international contests prize-winners). That makes possible to perform compositions of various genres: from classic to rock. The orchestra program embraces “golden collection” of the world and the Russian classical music and contemporary composers compositions. “Russian Philharmonic” accomplished a number of significant projects: joint concert with the "La Scala" musicians; world premiere of "Glory to Sacred Daniel, Prince Moscow" specially composed for the orchestra by outstanding Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki.

Premiere of "Songs of Gurre" cantata by A. Schoenberg with the participation of Klaus Maria Brandauer; the Russian premiere of "Tankred" opera by G. Rossini; participation in the Fourth & the Fifth Viennese Balls (Moscow) and the First World Summit of religious leaders.

In April 2007 during Easter week and for the first time in Russia the orchestra organized and gave two concerts with Choir and Orchestra of Chapel Guilia (Vatican) with the blessing of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II and the Pope Benedict XVI. Full house concerts of “Russian Philharmonic” have already become good tradition.Moscow music lovers and regular listeners expect favourite annual concerts: “Christmas concert”, Concert-tango by Astor Piazzolla, "Classical guitar evening", “To St.Valentine day”, joint concerts with soloists of "Tenors of XXI century" project. The orchestra participates in annual vocal contest of Galina Vishnevskaya. For 4 years Moscow City Government allocates purpose grants to the orchestra to organize unique children’s light-projection performances “Fairy tale in Russian music” and perform compositions of young Moscow composers.

A lot of outstanding musicians cooperated with the orchestra: Evgeny Akimov, Roberto Alagna, Nikolay Alekseev, Irina Arkhipova, Dwight Bennett, Paata Burchuladze, Jose Carreras, Barry Douglas, Andrey Diev, Nataliya Gutman, Alexander Ivashkin, Lyubov Kazarnovskaya, Alexander Knyazev, Daniil Kramer, Dmitry Liss, Didier Lockwood, Nikolay Lugansky, Badri Maysuradze, Victoria Nava, Elena Obraztzova, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Nikolay Petrov, Vladimir Ponkin, Vadim Repin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Alexander Rudin, Saulyus Sandetskis, Sergey Stadler, Eliso Virsaladze, Alexander Walker. Moscow City Symphony Orchestra “Russian Philharmonic” goes on tour abroad a lot.

The orchestra performs in the best halls of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Taiwan, Turkey, Czech Republic, Japan. Orchestra played three concerts in May 2007 on the invitation of the President of Montenegro and had the honour to record National Anthem of Montenegro. Moscow City Symphony Orchestra “Russian Philharmonic” was awarded Montenegro National Prize in November 2007.