Project Description
Moscow Chamber Choir
The introduction into XXI century – this mark for the Moscow State Academic chamber choir was rather virtual. The choir life routine was the same as before: rehearsals, concerts, disks recording, tours in Russia and abroad. However, there were the important events as well.
In particular, numerous choir participation in performances of the Summer Opera Festival in Bregenz (Austria) where the choir for the first time has taken part in opera statements: Puccini “Bohemia”, Rubinstein “Demon”, Yanachek “Lisichki”, Verdi “Ball-masquerade”, Musorgsky “Khovanchina” and even in Bernstain’s musical Westside Story.
One of significant events of XXI century was the first performance of Georgy Sviridov’s , Bezvremenie Song (2003), the Russian premier of Gyia Kancheli’s , Little Imbe (2004) and , Amao Omi (2007) and Vladimir Dashkevich’s Seven Lightings of the Apocalypse (2006).
The following concerts have been performed on the stage of the Big hall of Moscow conservatory : with Joseph Kobzon who performed songs and romances, the concert of Georgian choral music with participation of Tamara Gverdtsiteli, the concert with Alla Demidova who read the text of Prokofiev oratorio “Ivan Grozny” (Ivan the Terrible).
The Moscow chamber choir toured a lot: in Japan, Singapore, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, England.
The choir achievements in the chronological order are as follows:
In 2000 the choir had been on the tour in South America (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Recorded the disk “Perezvony” of V.Gavrilin and « Night clouds » of G.Sviridov at the German recording studio « Mazur Media»
In 2001 the Choir recorded another disc – Anthology of Russian spiritual music: S.Rahmaninov “Bells” and S.Taneev “Joan Damaskin” was recorded at one of the most world prestigious recording studios – « Deutsche Gramophone ».
In 2002 at studio “Classsound ” the Choir recorded Russian songs and songs of Soviet composers. The disk’s name was « Sing me that song, that before … ». This year the choir recorded as well the choir jubilee concert which was performed on 19.04.02. at the Big hall of Moscow conservatory.
In 2003 Deutsche Gramophone recorded the first solo compact disc of the Moscow chamber choir « Russian Voices » containing works of Russian spiritual choral music a-capella (S.Taneev, G.Sviridov, M. Mussorgsky, S.Prokofiev). In November the Choir performed together with glorified opera singer Monserat Cabalie.
In 2004, jubilee year to honor the conductor’s 75th anniversary Vladimir Minin was awarded with the order . For merits before Fatherland of III degree and the order of Russian Orthodox church, Sacred prince Daniil Moskovsky of II degree. The choir successfully toured in Italy and gave concerts in Padua, Sachille, Verona, Trento. The works of Mahler, Rakhmaninov, Grechaninov were performed there. The choir took part in the Moscow Easter festival.
The significant event was the first performance of Russian famous composer S.Taneev’s works in London in 2005 when the Moscow chamber choir together with the Russian National Orchestra under baton of M.Pletnev performed two cantatas . After reading psalm “Joan Damaskin”.
In May, 2006 the choir participated in the unusual program. Together with the State academic symphonic orchestra named after E.Svetlanov the Choir performed fragments from the musical « Westside story , Chechester psalm, Symphonic dances by Bernstain, Negro spirituals and Coplend’s In the beginning ». Being in Moscow for the first time the known English pianist, organist and conductor Wayne Marshall was at the conductor’s stand that evening. In one of the concerts the choir performed XX century American music: Gershwin, Porter, Ellington, Kern. Soloist – Deborah Benke. Conductor – Gilbert Filly. In October the choir took part in the IVth Russian Gavrilin’s musical festival where “The Bells” by Valerie Gavrilin was performed.
In February, 2007 two great premieres with participation of the Choir took place: performance of cantata “Amao Omi » (War is senseless) composed by the outstanding modern composer G.Kancheli and Liturgy ” Seven lightnings of the Apocalypse » composed by V.Dashkevich. In March the Choir performed the new program named «Yesenin and in which known drama actor Alexander Filippenko took part. On the occasion of 35th choir anniversary the concert in the Big Hall of Moscow conservatory was performed in which the chamber orchestras “Moscow Virtuosos Musica viva , soloists Joseph Kobzon, Elena Kamburova, Natalia Gerasimova and other artists took part.
The concert season 2008-2009 foresaw the performance by the Choir of large symphonic works for soloists, choir and orchestra, such as Haydn’s “Paukenmesse”, Beethoven’s Christ on Olive mountain , Orph ‘s Carmina Burana », never performed in Russia before, Sviridov’s Night clouds, Mozart’s “Requiem”, Kancheli’s Аmao Omi ». Besides above Bizet opera “Carmen” was performed in the concert way at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.
On January 22, 2009 the jubilee concert devoted to 80-anniversary of Vladimir Minin and 60-anniversary of his artistic activity took place in the Big Hall of Moscow conservatory. Vladimir Minin was awarded with Order of Honor for eminent contribution to development and preservation of Russian national choral art. In May the choir took part in the Moscow Easter festival.
Some charitable concerts were given: at the Practical center of medical aid for children, Children’s musical school named after Haydn, Physical institute of Russian Academy of Science (FIAN). On May 24 after having finished the concert season in Russia, the choir gone for three weeks foreign tour in Japan. The tour was organized by the well known concert company Japan Arts. The works of Western classic composers, Russian folk songs and fragments from Rakhmaninov’s Liturgy St. Joan Zlatoust will be performed together with the Tchaikovsky Big Symphonic Orchestra. The choir will take part in concert performance of Tchaikovsky opera “Iolanta”.
After tour in Japan, the Moscow Chamber Choir performed two concerts in Singapore where the Russian choral music was never heard. Program of the first concert: Russian and Western classics. In the second concert, together with the orchestra , Moscow Soloists under baton of Y.Bashmet, the Choir performed Schubert’s Messe – major and Mozart’s motet , Exsultate Jubilate.
The Chorus opened the new concert season 2009-2010 in the Bolshoi theatre where within the framework of continuing cooperation with the RNO and M.Pletnev performed Grieg’s suite “Peer Gynt”.