Institution subordinate to the Department of Culture of Moscow
Institution subordinate to the Department of Culture of Moscow

Orchestra Presentation

One of the best and top requested orchestras in Russia, Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic”, performs with great success in the largest concert halls in Russia and abroad. This is the only orchestra that plays the music of various styles and genres from classical to rock at the highest professional level. Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic” is one and only official orchestra of the Moscow Government, deservedly won the love of Muscovites, Russians, and became a world famous music brand. Critics note the special energetics of the orchestra concerts, which does not leave anyone indifferent among thousands of listeners of all ages. Today, Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic” is the organizer and participator of the largest and high-grossing concerts in Moscow. Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic” holds over 100 concerts per season at the State Kremlin Palace, Crocus City Hall, Moscow International House of Music, the Great Hall of Moscow State Conservatory, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.

In 2000, the Moscow Government established Moscow City Symphony – Russian Philharmonic, the first and the only grand orchestra in the ancient Moscow history, in order to make Moscow the leading cultural capital. According to the appointment of the Department of Culture of the city of Moscow, the initiator of the creation of the orchestra Gayane Shiladjyan has been its director since 2001. The post of Chief Conductor of the orchestra was occupied by Alexander Vedernikov, Yuri Kochnev, Maxim Fedotov, Dmitry Yurovsky. From the season of 2018-2019, the Chief Conductor Moscow City Symphony “Russian Philharmonic” is Fabio Mastrangelo.

Confirming the status of the orchestra of new generation, “Russian Philharmonic” implements scale innovative projects. One of the most successful of them is legendary cantata by C. Orff Carmina Burana with huge video projections of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bosch, Bruegel, and Durer masterpieces. These vivid visual images fill all space of the concert hall. Also, with using of latest light projection technologies were holding such projects as: cycle for children «Fairytale in Russian music» («Fairytale about Tsar Saltan», «The Golden Cockerel» and «The Little Humpbacked Horse» with the participation of theatre and cinema actors); «Aida» by G. Verdi "Aida" with immersion in the atmosphere of ancient Egypt.

In March 2016 the orchestra held a Festival dedicated to its 15th anniversary within which was also presented a new project: “The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky and “Sheherazade” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov with projections of recovered sketches by Nikolai Roerich and Leon Bakst, which were created for famous Diaghilev’s “Ballets Russes” in Paris in XX century. The orchestra is not afraid of experiments, but never distorts the deep essence of the performed works, putting exceptional quality at the forefront.

World-famous celebrities such as Roberto Alagna, Boris Berezovsky, Paata Burchuladze, Montserrat Caballe, Jose Carreras, Jose Cura, Dmitry Hvorostovsky, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sergey Krylov, Nikolay Lugansky, Denis Matsuev, Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov, Rolando Villason and many others collaborate with the orchestra. Russian pop stars such as Larisa Dolina, Philip Kirkorov, Valeria, Tamara Gverdstiteli, Alexander Malinin, Stas Mikhailov, Nikolay Baskov, Dmitry Malikov, UmaTurman, Olga Kormukhina, Kvatro, and Bi-2 made a number of projects with Moscow City Symphony – Russian Philharmonic.

In order to attract new audience to “live” music the orchestra organized and performed several Live Cinema Concerts, such as Metropolis, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings.

Moscow City Symphony – Russian Philharmonic leads various enlightenment activity, dynamically develops Russian music culture. The orchestra’s repertoire includes Russian and foreign classical music, works by contemporary composers, pieces of different genres.

The orchestra opened the III Mstislav Rostropovich International Festival at Grand Hall of Conservatory.

Annually with the support of Moscow City Government the orchestra organizes two festivals. At the end of June – Classical Music Art Festival in Tsaritsyno takes place during which classical, folk and rock music are performed by Russian and foreign celebrities at all halls of the Big Palace and Palace Square. Grandiose gala-concert at the Palace Square is traditional culmination of the Festival, according to Moscow City Culture Department it is attended by 50000 people. Open air format and free entrance helps to make classical music art popular with all categories of the audience. At the end of December – Moscow International Festival Christmas-fest takes place at Moscow International House of Music, which is annually attended by more than 15000 people.

Moscow International House of Music is concert, rehearsal and administrative base of Moscow City Symphony – Russian Philharmonic.      

Moscow City Symphony – Russian Philharmonic performs at the best venues of Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Oman, Slovakia, Taiwan, Turkey, Czech Republic, and Japan. In the season 2012 – 2013 the orchestra opened the European Music Festival in Sofia (Bulgaria), and made a very successful debut at the Bruckner-fest in Linz (Austria). In September 2013 there were successful concerts in France – in Lyon and at the annual International Music Festival in Besancon. In January 2014 Russian Philharmonic made its debut at Royal Festival Hall, London under the aegis of the UK – Russia Year of Culture. In August 2014 the orchestra performed at closing of the Classical Music D-Marin Festival in Bodrum (Turkey). In September 2015 one more performance of the orchestra within Bruckner-fest in Linz (Austria) and the concert at International Music Festival in Bratislava (Slovakia).

The orchestra has a letter of acknowledgement from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky for active participation in preparation and holding the Second All-Russian Musical Competition (2012).

A letter of acknowledgement from the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergey Ivanov for active participation in preparation and holding events connected with the 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941 – 1945.