Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestras and Tours

The Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra - known in Russia as the State Symphony Capella of Russia - was founded in 1991 as a result of a merge of the State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture lead by Gennady Rozhdestvensky and the USSR State Chamber Choir under Valeri Polyansky. The Capella's first performance, of Dvorak's cantata "The Spectre's Bride", took place on 27 December 1991 in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire, under Rozhdestvensky. The concert was an outstanding success, setting from the outset the high creative standard of the ensemble and demonstrating its professionalism. In 1992, Valery Poliansky became the new artistic director and chief conductor of the Capella.

The orchestra and choir which make up Poliansky's State Symphony Capella enjoy a certain creative autonomy from one another, giving concerts, making recordings and touring independently. Together however, the Capella is able to perform some of the greatest works of classical music - masses, oratorios, requiems and cantatas - which are scored for orchestra, choir and soloists. The Capella's performances have included masterpieces including masses by Mozart, Schubert, Bruckner and Liszt, the Requiems of Verdi, Cherubini, Brahms, Mozart, Dvorak, Britten, and Schnittke, Rachmaninov's "Bells", Stravinsky's "Wedding", and many operas in concert performance etc. A large number of works have been revived by Poliansky after they had fallen into obscurity, and thanks to him, the public has also had the opportunity to become acquainted with the work of a number of contemporary composers, in particular Sidelnikov, Gubaidulina and Schnittke.

Naturally, tremendous energy, willpower, strength of mind, and professional skill are necessary to run the Capella, since the ensemble numbers more than 200 artists. Reviews of the Capella's performances both in Russia and abroad have commented on the depth of its interpretations, its highly developed sense of ensemble and flawless sense of style.

The Symphony Orchestra of the Capella has its own history. It first appeared in 1957 within the All-Union Broadcasting system, directed by Samosud. Subsequently, it played under Aranovich, Shostakovich and Rozhdestvensky. When Valery Poliansky took over as chief conductor of the Capella in 1992, he was able to open up to the players whole new perspectives offered by the merge of orchestra and choir. The work of the combined ensembles is alternated with independent performances by orchestra and choir. The orchestra's repertoire spans several centuries of both Russian and non-Russian music, and new works are regularly added to the concert programmes.

The Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra currently ranks among the finest symphonic ensembles in Russia, but its creative activities are not limited to its home territory: the orchestra receives frequent invitations to perform in many other countries all over the world. The orchestra has enjoyed very successful tours to the USA, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Croatia. At one of their concerts in the UK, a critic wrote, "When I listen to Poliansky conducting, I find myself starting to wonder whether there is a limit to perfection. It's no surprise that the audience gave a rapturous standing ovation to our Russian visitors."

Critics have commented on the strict discipline of the ensemble, its flexibility of phrasing, the warmth of timbre, nobility of expression, and excellent balance between the different sections of the orchestra, as well as the subtlety of nuance evident in its performances. Reviews have also remarked upon the close creative unity and mutual understanding between orchestra and conductor which makes it possible to realize some sophisticated artistic concepts.

"The orchestra gave a model performance of the symphonies of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, demonstrating its strong tradition of interpretation, which has been maintained through generations like a sacred fire. Poliansky makes the Russian soul vibrate."

-Corriere della Sera, Italy

Date Last Edited: 28th May 2008