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Alma MaterThe first Russian Conservatory opened in St. Petersburg on 20 September 1862 with a ceremonial meeting of students and teachers. From then onwards it has changed its name three times (in line with the changes of the name of the city) and in 1918 it changed its status becoming a public educational institution. Its location was changed four times. The present building of the Conservatory was designed by V. Nicolas and built in 1896. Anton Rubinstein (1829–1894) became the founder and first director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He was perhaps the most charismatic character in the history of the Russian music: a brilliant pianist, a wonderful teacher and composer and a prominent public figure. He was the one to develop the in-depth curriculum for the Conservatory. An outstanding faculty including some renowned European musicians was assembled under his leadership. And, finally, Anton Rubenstein secured the Conservatory the right to award degrees in Liberal Arts thus facilitating the appearance of a new class in the Russian society. Such outstanding professors as pianist T. Leschetitsky and violinist G. Venyavsky became professors at the Conservatory in 1860s. The first class including Pyotr Tchaikovsky, a brilliant composer loved across the globe up to the present day, graduated in 1865. In 1871 the faculty of the Conservatory was joined by 27-year-old Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov who managed to rise to the heights of composers’ teaching methods – the school of Rimsky-Korsakov which was destined to become famous through such musicians as Alexander Glazunov, Anatoly Lyadov, Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev was beginning to form already by 1880s. It also helped develop local musical cultures – Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian and Lithuanian. When in 1944 the Conservatory was named after Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov it demonstrated not only the historical importance of the composer himself but also the large scale of the Russian musical education. The school of Rimsky-Korsakov brought forward the second (after Anton Rubinstein) great director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory - Alexander Glazunov (1865–1936). A gifted musician and wonderful composer, a highly moral person, he led the Conservatory through the turmoil of the XX century: the revolution, the world war and the civil war. He was given unconditional trust and inspired people to stand up for the Russian culture. Among the pianists we may name A. Yesipova, a brilliant recitalist and founder of a great performing school, V. Safonov who later headed the Moscow school (some of his students were A. Skryabin and N. Metner). Legendary performing artists V. Sofronitsky and M .Yudina supported the moral courage of their Soviet contemporaries through piano music. We should also mention Professors L. Nikolaev, S. Savshinsky, N. Golubovskaya, N. Perelman, V. Nielsen, P. Serebryakov and M. Halfin who taught several generations of pianists and sustained the great piano performing traditions in St. Petersburg. If it wouldn’t be for them the Conservatory of 1970s would not have among its graduates Grigory Sokolov, one of the major pianists of our time. Among the instrumentalists we should mention a number of outstanding violinists from the class of Professor L. Auer: J. Heifetz, E. Tsimbalist, M. Elman, M. Polyakin. Many of the graduates of the class of Professor L. Auer ended up abroad but did not break their connection to the Alma Mater, all the more so that the traditions of L. Auer continued in the Conservatory after the revolution maintained by such wonderful Leningrad violinists as M. Veimann and B. Gutnikov (class of Professor Y. Eidlin). Our cello school also proved to be very viable. It was started by Professor K. Davydov in the time of A. Rubenstein and was later developed by Professors A. Verzbilovich, A. Strimer and A. Nikitin. Apart from strings the Conservatory also teaches brass, percussion and, recently, folk instruments. Our best graduates become soloists with famous orchestras and join the faculty of the Conservatory. Across the generations they pass on the deep respect for those who founded and strengthened our school of orchestral performance. And what about the vocal arts? It was traditional to believe that the singers should study in Italy but when such graduates of the St. Petersburg Conservatory as E. Mravina, M. Slavina, F.Stravinsky, I. Yershov (before the revolution) and S. Preobrazhenskaya, G. Nelepp, E. Obraztsova, V. Atlantov and I. Bogacheva (in the Soviet period) appeared on the Russian and world opera stages the world could see the value of the Russian vocal teaching while in Russia it elicited true admiration. Gradually the conducting classes at the Conservatory also started to gain fame. While the triumph of its graduate E. Mravinsky could seem an exception the appearance of such outstanding conductors and teachers as I. Musin and N. Rabinovich (also the Conservatory graduates) formed a school which in the music world stood out for its remarkable productivity. Such prominent and renowned Russian conductors as Valery Gergiev, Yuri Temirkanov, Maris Jansons, Semeon Bychkov and Vassily Sinaysky belong to this school as well as Alexander Dmitriev, Yuri Simonov, Vladislav Chernushenko and late Konstantin Simeonov, Arnold Katz and Yuri Aranovich. We cannot mention all the names here but they and the St. Petersburg conducting school are known and appreciated by the international public. Achievements of choral conducting form an integral part of the oldest Russian Conservatory. Such esteemed choirmasters as M. Klimov, G.Dmitrievsky, E. Kudryavtseva and A. Mikhailov created the history and modern reality of the department. We also opened a department of Early Russian Vocal Arts which extended the range of the liberal arts taught at the Conservatory. Music history department (especially theoretical music history) has achieved a firm reputation. Writings of Professors B. Asafiev, Y. Tyulin, K. Kushnarev, A. Dolzhansky who were also remarkable teachers became the classics of music history. The last but not the least I would like to name the acclaimed graduates of the Composition department since the composers traditionally stand at the top of the musical hierarchy. After Pyotr Tchaikovsky two other students of extraordinary genius, Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitry Shostakovich studied at the Conservatory. Other distinguished composers of different generations of Conservatory’s graduates include N. Myaskovsky, M. Gnessin, G. Sviridov, B. Arapov, O. Yevlakhov, V. Salmanov, A. Petrov, S. Slonimsky, B. Tischenko and V. Gavrilin. This list is certainly not full but it cannot be disputed. In any case the composers of the St. Petersburg school of are valued not only at our Conservatory but recognized by the world musical education. The St. Petersburg Conservatory today knows and appreciates its past. However, every year we enroll young people who have contemporary ideas about the human values and goals in life. And while the art of music to a large extent means the art to control real time, the mission of musicians should be to combine the past and the future, own initiative and affiliation with a professional school. This is what the St. Petersburg Conservatory teaches young people from all over the world, and teaches very well. I am saying this with a safe conscience as a St. Petersburg musician who has been watching and participating in the life of the Conservatory for over 50 years. Leonid Gakkel Faculties- Composition and Conducting Faculty - Orchestral Faculty - Piano Faculty - Voice Studies and Stage Directing Faculty - Musicology Faculty - Directing Department - Folk instruments Faculty Composition and Conducting Faculty Pyotr Tchaikovsky, student of A. Rubenstein and N. Zaremba, was the first graduate of the composition department of the Conservatory. Nowadays the department of composition and conducting comprises four divisions: special composition and improvisation, orchestration and general composition, opera and symphony conducting and choir conducting. Orchestral Faculty Classes of orchestra music and ensemble read by A. Rubenstein, the founder and first director of the Conservatory, were opened in the first years of the Conservatory. In 1871 N. Rimsky-Korsakov became the head of the student symphony orchestra. Later on professors K. Davydov and A. Glazunov conducted at the Conservatory concerts. Already by the end of 1890s the concerts of the Conservatory became important part of the musical life of St. Petersburg. First woodwind and brass professors at the St .Petersburg Conservatory were musicians from Italy, Germany and Austria: C. Ciardi (flute), V. Shubert (oboe), C. Niedmann (clarinet), C. Kutschbach (basoon), W. Wurm (trumpet), F. Turner (trombone). Piano Faculty In 1862 the Piano Faculty of the St. Petersburg Conservatory comprised classes of four professors. A. Rubinstein personally picked the faculty. He invited major musicians to work as the Conservatory piano professors: T. Leshetitsky, A. Dreishok, A.Gerke. Voice Studies and Stage Directing Faculty Voice school of the St. Petersburg Conservatory has always been one of the most important in the history of the Russian performing arts. It developed as a fusion of Russian and European voice traditions and produced many renowned singers. Nowadays it keeps its status of a leading voice school. Musicology Faculty The Musicology Faculty was founded in 1925 at the initiative of an outstanding Russian scientist and composer B. Asafiev. Directing Department Directing Department was founded in 1934 at the initiative of a successful opera singer, director and conservatory professor E. Kaplan, an adherer of V. Meierhold. Folk instruments Faculty Folk instruments faculty was founded in 1960. At its waterhead there were bright personalities who designated their lives to teaching playing Russian folk instruments: V. Ilyina, A. Shalov, G. Preobrazhensky, I. Shitenkov, L. Samsonov-Rogovitsky, D. Matyushkov, A. Ilyin, B. Posnov, and many others. P. Govorushko, one of the founders of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) professional folk instrument school played a special role in the development of the department. Cherishing the traditions, the folk instruments department of the Conservatory nonetheless is in continuous creative evolution. The faculty quickly gained popularity in Russia and abroad. Nowadays it comprises the following divisions: string folk instruments; accordion and piano accordion; ensemble, instrumentation and conducting. Orchestras- Student Symphony Orchestra - Student Chamber Orchestra - Student Folk Instrument Orchestra - Student Choir Student Symphony Orchestra Anton Rubinstein dreamt of creation of a student orchestra at the St .Petersburg Conservatory and made a large donation for free orchestra instrument classes. Over the years the student orchestra was headed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov. After the foundation of the conducting department its students started working with the orchestra. At different times such apprentice conductors as E. Mravinsky, I. Musin, N. Rabinovich, Y. Temirkanov. V. Gergiev and others appeared at its conductor’s desk. Student Chamber Orchestra The Student Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1970s by Y. Aliev, a student of E .Mravinsky. Over the years the orchestra was headed by the Conservatory Professors R. Martynnov, L. Schinder, S. Sondetskis, M. Estrin. The chamber orchestra is an invaluable professional school of music for young instrumentalists. Student Folk Instrument Orchestra The orchestra was founded together with the Folk Instrument Department (1960). A well-known conductor of the folk instrument orchestra A. Ilyin became the first head of the department. Student Choir The Student Choir of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory was founded in 1925. Over the eighty years of its existence its repertory has included all genres of Western choir classics, spiritual and secular Russian choir music as well as pieces by modern composers. At different times the choir was led by such prominent choirmasters as A. Egorov, M. Klimov, I. Poltavtsev, A. Mikhailov and others. Conservatory TheatreN. Rimsky-Korsakov Opera and Ballet Theater is a unique event in the world cultural space. Not only it provides professional performance opportunities for the St. Petersburg Conservatory students - singers and conductors, choreographers and directors, musicologists and orchestra performers – but also is a repertory theater with professional companies (opera and ballet), choir and big opera and symphony orchestra. Scientific Music Library and Media CenterThe Scientific Music Library of the St .Petersburg Conservatory is the largest information and bibliographic center of St. Petersburg in the field of music, its stores unique collection of notes, books and manuscripts of global importance. The library comprises the division of study and scientific literature; division of manuscripts; division of foreign literature; notes’ division; bibliographical division; reading hall; automation division. Class of music history (record library) was founded at the Leningrad Conservatory in 1939. The holdings were formed from records of the faculty and students made in the recording studio of the Class and Glazunov Hall. The legendary A. Gomarteli started working at the Recording Laboratory in 1946 and in 37 years of his work managed to create a unique collection of records on magnetic recording tapes including priceless records of B. Gutnikov, M. Veimann, M. Rostropovich, G. Vishnevskaya, P. Serebryakov, V. Buyanovsky and other outstanding performers. Glazunov Small HallThe Small Hall designed by V. Nicolas as The Hall for Quarter Assemblies owing to its refined interior and unique acoustics is one of the best chamber halls of Europe. It 1920 it was named after Alexander Glazunov in recognition of this outstanding Russian composer and director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Starting from the first concert which was held in the Small Hall in 1896 and to the present time the hall is the center of academic and artistic life of the Conservatory. It is used to hold student concerts for performing departments, concerts of graduate students, graduates and Professors of the Conservatory, rehearsals for choral and orchestral student ensembles, state exams, celebrations of anniversaries and important events as well at Conservatory festivals, master classes, competitions and subscription concerts for kids and adults. In 2009 an Eule organ, a universal instrument of multiple stylistic capacities was installed in the Small Hall allowing holding high-level international organ competitions. St.Petersburg Conservatory MuseumThe museum was opened in 1969. The idea to found a museum belonged to E. Bartucheva, Conservatory Professor in Music History. Documents and materials connected to the life and activities of the leaders of the Russian Musical Society, director, professors and outstanding graduates of the Conservatory are kept in the museum. Over 11 thousand exhibits comprise sculptural, painted and graphical portraits of the musicians by prominent artists, autographs of Anton Rubenstein, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Alexander Glazunov, Anatoly Lyadov, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Prokofiev and others as well as memorial furniture, old photos, posters, conductor’s batons, notes and books from private libraries. Many of the museum exhibits are gifts from the families of prominent St. Petersburg musicians. International Activities and information for international StudentsThe St. Petersburg State Conservatory is a member of the Association of European Conservatories. International relations within the Conservatory are based on official exchange programs, bilateral partnership agreements and personal connections of the faculty. The Conservatory holds representative international festivals and conferences on an annual basis. A wide range of programs in performing arts, composition, conducting and music theory annually attracts over 250 students from 35 countries. The Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory offers degree programs for international students in all musical fields. - Classes for individual studies and lecture halls The Conservatory offers dorms to the students. Specialized Music School (College)The Specialized Music High School of the St. Petersburg Conservatory named after Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was founded in 1934 at the initiative of Professor S. Savshinsky who gathered an experimental group of gifted 6 - 15 year olds under the auspices of the Conservatory. Later this group was transformed into a Specialized High School where the students received professional education at piano, strings and brass and choir departments along with the general secondary education. Over the years the school became famous through its graduates, including composers S. Slonimsky, V. Gavrilin, G. Banschikov, conductors Y. Temirkanov, M. Jansons, Y. Simonov, V. Sinaisky, pianists A. Skavronsky, G. Sokolov, A. Ugorsky, E. Murina, cello players D. Shafran, A. Nikitin, B. Pergamenschikov, M. Maysky, violists M. Vaiman, V. Spivakov, D. Berlinsky, G. Zhislin, M. Gantvarg, S. Stadler, viola players Y. Kramorov, V. Stopichev and many other musicians of various concentrations. Unique traditions of professional music education accumulated by the secondary school at the St. Petersburg Conservatory are of special interest to foreign partners. Every year we enroll more and more students from CIS countries, Germany, USA, China, Japan and South Korea. Orchestra of the Specialized Music High SchoolThe students of the Conservatory High School receive training in the high school orchestra which is over 60 years old. The high level of the orchestra is achieved through continuous traditions of orchestra and ensemble performing arts training. Mekhnetsov Folclore and Ethnography CenterThe center is the scientific department of the Conservatory. The staff of the Center stores documental evidence (audio and video records) on Russian folk music culture collected in field research, prepares publications of music and ethnographical materials, holds scientific conferences, seminars, internships for folklore professionals, conservatory and music school teachers, leaders of folk ensembles. |