The Era of Vladislav Chernushenko

Renowned musician, conductor, public figure, and artistic director of the St. Petersburg Singing Capella Vladislav Chernushenko (1936-2026) has passed away. His name is inextricably linked with the history of the Capella, the oldest musical institution in our country. Vladislav Chernushenko is a legend of the Russian choral school, People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the State Prizes of Russia, holder of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" of the II, III, and IV degrees, and Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg.

"Vladislav Chernushenko is an entire era in the centuries-old chronicle of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg. His art, dedication to his craft, love for the Motherland and its culture will forever remain in the memory of those who knew the maestro," noted Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova in her telegram.

Vladislav Chernushenko's life was tightly bound to the legendary St. Petersburg Capella from early childhood. He entered the building on the Moika River Embankment at the age of eight, brilliantly graduated from the Choir School at the Capella and the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and years later, in 1974, took the helm of Russia's oldest professional singing ensemble, leading it for over half a century and creating a truly unique choir. His contribution to domestic musical culture is truly priceless. The maestro reached such professional heights that colleagues unofficially recognized him as Russia's chief choral conductor. Vladislav Chernushenko managed to recreate the unique sound of the Capella choir, which for centuries had been considered the benchmark, delighting audiences and critics in Russia and around the world. He significantly expanded and enriched the choir's repertoire. The Capella, which survived the era of revolutionary changes in the 20th century, returned to its roots—Russian choral classics. A true breakthrough was the revival of Russian spiritual music, which had always formed the basis of the Capella's repertoire. At Vladislav Chernushenko's initiative, the "Neva Choral Assemblies" festival took place in 1981, becoming a tradition, along with the scientific-practical conference "Five Centuries of Russian Choral Music." The festival concerts were dedicated to spiritual music and such great figures of Russian musical art as Dmitry Bortniansky, Mikhail Glinka, Alexey Lvov, author of the anthem of the Russian Empire "God Save the Tsar," Mily Balakirev, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Arensky, Gavriil Loman kin—that was an incredible event for those times. The culmination of this work was the performance in 1982, after a 54-year hiatus, of Sergei Rachmaninoff's masterpiece for unaccompanied choir, "All-Night Vigil." He was the first to present chants and prayers of modern classic Georgy Sviridov in the early 21st century, as well as premieres of many other choral works by domestic composers.

At Vladislav Chernushenko's initiative, a symphony orchestra was recreated at the Capella in 1991, led by the conductor's son, Alexander Chernushenko. This allowed the ensemble's repertoire to include large-scale vocal-symphonic works, cantatas, oratorios, and operas in concert performance. Vladislav Chernushenko's richest creative legacy largely defined the development of choral art in the second half of the 20th to early 21st century.

In parallel with his Capella work, Vladislav Chernushenko spent over two decades as rector of the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory, using his unwavering authority to preserve many traditions of Russia's oldest music higher education institution. There were years of inspired work as a conductor at the St. Petersburg Maly Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Modest Mussorgsky and long-term leadership of the "Radio France" choir in Paris. And at the very beginning of his creative path and rapid rise—work in Magnitogorsk under choral master Semyon Grigoryevich Eidinoff.

The creative and life path of Vladislav Chernushenko is a vivid example of selfless devotion to his cause, service to the Fatherland, and Russian musical art.

Vladislav Chernushenko always believed in Russia, in its great destiny, and worked tirelessly for its benefit. He loved to speak about the mission of man, recalling the words of the remarkable Russian poet Yevgeny Baratynsky: "Talent is a commission. It must be fulfilled, no matter what obstacles."