St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra
About
The history of the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra began in 1931 when a small ensemble was organized at Leningrad Radio. Shortly after that, the ensemble grew to the size of a symphony orchestra. The orchestra, performing in the live air format and collaborating with many conductors, called for constant reinvigoration of a program and acquired flexibility in its performing manner. During the World War II Siege of Leningrad, the orchestra of Leningrad Radio was the only symphony orchestra remaining in the blockaded city. In – August 1942, conducted by Karl Eliasberg, this orchestra played the historic Leningrad première of the Seventh Symphony by Shostakovich in the Philharmonia.
In the summer of 1953 it became the second orchestra of Leningrad Philharmonia. Tours were held for the first time, including tours abroad; in 1962–1963 a series of composers concerts were complemented with I. Stravinsky and B. Britten. The orchestra gained fame in the nation as one of the best orchestras to accompany soloists, performing with Van Cliburn, Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Yehudi Menuhin and David Oistrakh. In 1968 right after PhD studies at Leningrad conservatory, Yuri Temirkanov joined the orchestra. His activity is related to the rapid growth in repertoire and important tours.
In 1977 the orchestra was taken over by its today’s artistic director Alexander Dmitriev. The collaboration of this conductor with the orchestra continues for more than thirty years. It is the first time in the history of this orchestra that an alliance lasts for so long. These years are marked by the awarding of the honorary title "academic orchestra" to the team. The orchestra has toured Europe, Asia, America. It took part in prestigious international festivals ("Arts Square", "Stars of the White Nights", "Prague Autumn", "Swansea", "Canterbury"). The history of the orchestra’s performances with guest conductors, composers and soloists is as abundant as ever. The discography of the team was enriched with recordings of all Beethoven’s and Schubert’s symphonies, and Tchaikovsky`s, Rachmaninov`s, Ravel`s and Britten`s compositions. During the ensuing years in St. Petersburg, the orchestra presented premières of music by Mahler, Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin, Tippet, Orff, Petrov, Slonimsky, Falik, and Pärt. Slonimsky dedicated his Twelfth Symphony to the orchestra - at the concert dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Yuri Falik's birthday the orchestra played the premiere of his Third Symphony.
The orchestra, participated in debut concert of the Conservatory student Andrei Petrov in 1954, half a century later the ensemble played at the first concert in memory of the late composer. The Leningrad Symphony by Shostakovich still plays a significant part in its repertoire. In 2004 it was played in honor of the 60th anniversary of the reversal of blockade. On the 9th of May, 2005 (Victory Day) it was played in the Royal Albert Hall under the baton of Maxim Shostakovich – son of the composer.
The season 2014/15 is full of bright events. The Orchestra prepares a multimedia "Children Project", including music and cartoon for the "Arts Square" Festival. A virtual "Promenade in Hermitage" is planned on March. Our listeners will make journeys to the world of music by Lloyd Webber, Gershwin, Barber and Copland, and to the history of dance - Austrian conductor Peter Guth will present the concert "From Minuet to Waltz". The famous "Verklärte Nacht" will be performed to the 140th anniversary of Arnold Schoenberg, the "Love" Symphony – to the 90th anniversary of Basner, "Gogol-Suite" - to the 80th anniversary of Schnittke. Other works by Schnittke – the Requiem – will be compared with the Requiem by Mozart. Of particular interest are concerts dedicated to three different interpretations of Maeterlinck's Pelléas et Mélisande and "meetings" of Thaikovsky with Schumann, Brahms, Dvořák and Russian Composers of The Five. Traditionally, the Orchestra takes some Russian Premiers – works by Schreker and Ghedini, as well as the World Premier – works by young Petersburg composer N. Khruscheva. The Orchestra is going to tour to the UK.