Symphony Orchestra of Leningrad State Philharmonic
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Symphony Orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in Russia. The main concert venue is the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic named after Dmitri Shostakovich. The Court Orchestra was founded in 1882 by order of Emperor Alexander III from two disbanded orchestras and was called the Court Musicians' Choir until 1897. The Emperor's fundamental requirement was to form an orchestra exclusively from subjects of the Russian Empire. Organized as a military unit of the Ministry of the Court, the Court Music Choir was primarily occupied with meeting the needs of the Imperial Court - accompanying imperial breakfasts, ceremonial receptions and balls. Since 1897, its functions have expanded, the orchestra gradually moves away from the military organization, the musicians receive the title of artists of the Court Orchestra. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Court Orchestra has given concerts in the Hall of the Assembly of Nobility (now the Great Hall of the Philharmonic).
After the February Revolution of 1917, the Court Orchestra became known as the State Orchestra. From 1917 to 1920, Sergey Kusevitskiy, an outstanding conductor of his era, was invited to lead the orchestra. Anatoli Lunacharsky contributed to the organization of a new scientific and educational institution, which was named the Petrograd Philharmonic, the core of which was the state orchestra. In the 1920s, the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra was led by Emil Cooper, then by Nikolay Malko.
In 1934, the orchestra was the first in the country to receive the title of Honored Collective of the Republic. After Malko's departure abroad, the post of chief conductor was taken over by Aleksandr Gauk and Dr. Fritz Stiedy. After them, Yevgeni Mravinsky was appointed chief conductor. Over the course of 50 years under Mravinsky's direction, the Honored Orchestra earned a reputation as one of the world's finest orchestras. Critics noted the nobility of phrasing, the soft and melodious tone of the strings, the ensemble discipline, and the musicians' high individual skill. After the death of Yevgeny Mravinsky in 1988, Yuri Temirkanov was elected chief conductor.
After the February Revolution of 1917, the Court Orchestra became known as the State Orchestra. From 1917 to 1920, Sergey Kusevitskiy, an outstanding conductor of his era, was invited to lead the orchestra. Anatoli Lunacharsky contributed to the organization of a new scientific and educational institution, which was named the Petrograd Philharmonic, the core of which was the state orchestra. In the 1920s, the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra was led by Emil Cooper, then by Nikolay Malko.
In 1934, the orchestra was the first in the country to receive the title of Honored Collective of the Republic. After Malko's departure abroad, the post of chief conductor was taken over by Aleksandr Gauk and Dr. Fritz Stiedy. After them, Yevgeni Mravinsky was appointed chief conductor. Over the course of 50 years under Mravinsky's direction, the Honored Orchestra earned a reputation as one of the world's finest orchestras. Critics noted the nobility of phrasing, the soft and melodious tone of the strings, the ensemble discipline, and the musicians' high individual skill. After the death of Yevgeny Mravinsky in 1988, Yuri Temirkanov was elected chief conductor.
