The Largest Project of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic

The International Winter Festival "Arts Square" is the largest project of the Shostakovich St. Petersburg Philharmonic. Twenty-five years ago, it was founded by the artistic director of the Honored Ensemble of Russia Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Yuri Temirkanov. "Over the past years, the 'Arts Square' Festival has become one of Russia's main musical events. It is distinguished by the highest level of participants and organization. And the fact that the Festival is so close in time and atmosphere to the New Year's holidays creates a sense of wonder and fairy tale every year," noted Evgeny Petrovsky, Deputy Director of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic for Creative Activities.

This year, the festival brought together stars of classical music and leading Russian ensembles from December 13 to 25. Its program traditionally combined various arts, with concerts in philharmonic halls as the core. The festival's lineup also included Aram Khachaturian's ballet "Spartacus" at the Mikhailovsky Theater, a performance by the St. Petersburg Concert Choir under Vladimir Begletsov at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, the musical tragicomedy "The Cabby and the King" at the Theater of Musical Comedy, and exhibitions from the Russian Museum: "Russian Tradition" and "Archip Kuindzhi. Illusion of Light."

One of the key highlights of this year's festival program was the music of Dmitry Shostakovich, one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, whose name the Leningrad-St. Petersburg Philharmonic has borne for half a century.

The concert by world-famous Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov generated enormous interest. He brilliantly performed Dmitry Shostakovich's late composition — Suite on Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, as well as chamber vocal works by Liszt, Schubert, and Ravel. The piano part was played by Mzia Bakhutridze.

Renowned pianist Petr Laul performed Dmitry Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues over two evenings. It was in this Small Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic in 1952, performed by the famous pianist Tatiana Nikolayeva, that the world premiere of the cycle took place.

The performance of Dmitry Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11 "1905" generated huge public interest at the "Arts Square" Festival. This monumental work was presented by the Moscow ensemble — the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia named after E.F. Svetlanov, conducted by People's Artist of the USSR Alexander Lazarev. It was this ensemble, under Nathan Rakhlin, that gave the world premiere of the symphony on October 30, 1957.

Among the invited ensembles in the "Arts Square" Festival lineup were the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra and Choir under Valery Gergiev. At the concert in memory of the recently deceased composer Rodion Shchedrin, his composition — the Russian Liturgy for a cappella choir "The Sealed Angel" — was performed.

A regular participant in festival programs — the State Symphony Orchestra "New Russia" under Yuri Bashmet. On the birthday of German classic Ludwig van Beethoven, December 16, his masterpieces were performed: Symphony No. 5 and the so-called Triple Concerto for violin, cello, and piano with orchestra. The soloists were Russian stars — Vadim Repin, Alexander Ramm, and Ekaterina Mechetina.

The symphony orchestra, choir, and soloists of the Moscow New Opera Theater named after E.V. Kolobov, and conductor Philip Chizhevsky, presented Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" in concert performance at the festival.

Among the vocal programs performed at the "Arts Square" Festival, we note the solo concert of world opera star Aida Garifullina and the concert of winners of the Hibla Gerzmava Vocalists Competition — Grand Prix winner mezzo-soprano Polina Sharovarova and finalist baritone Stanislav Li.

The XXV International Winter Festival "Arts Square" was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Committee on Culture of St. Petersburg.

The rich concert program, organization of international festivals, and large-scale foreign tours — all this is made possible thanks to the official sponsor of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic — VTB Bank. The St. Petersburg Philharmonic is deeply grateful to its long-term partner for providing the opportunity to prepare modern and large-scale projects that adorn the philharmonic's lineup, the cultural life of St. Petersburg, and all of Russia.

Starting next year, the "Arts Square" Festival will open on the birthday of its founder — conductor Yuri Temirkanov, December 10.

"This is a tribute to my great friend Yuri Khatuevich

Temirkanov," said participant in the musical marathon, renowned pianist Denis Matsuev. - This hall and this orchestra will always be associated with him for me, because all the time we spent both on stage and off stage, I consider a unique master class," noted Denis Matsuev. – I am infinitely grateful for the wonderful opportunity I had to communicate with this most brilliant musician and kindest person. Every performance of mine on this stage, especially with the Honored Ensemble of Russia, I will always dedicate to Yuri Temirkanov."