State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation

The State Academic Symphony Orchestra "Evgeny Svetlanov" (Государственный академический симфонический оркестр России имени Е. Ф. Светланова) is a major Russian orchestra based in Moscow. Sometimes known in English as the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra gives concerts in Moscow at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.

This article is about the orchestra known in Soviet times as the USSR State Symphony Orchestra. For the orchestra known in Soviet times as the USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra, see State Symphony Capella of Russia.

History

The orchestra was founded in 1936 as the USSR State Symphony Orchestra, with Alexander Gauk as its first music director. The orchestra changed its name after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The orchestra's longest serving music director was Evgeny Svetlanov, from 1965 to 2000. Svetlanov's tenure ended with his controversial dismissal by Russia's minister of culture, Mikhail Shvydkoi, who had accused Svetlanov of spending excessive time conducting outside of Russia.[1] In 2005, the orchestra officially acquired the additional name of Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra now has the formal name, in English, of the 'State Academic Symphony Orchestra "Evgeny Svetlanov"'.

Mark Gorenstein succeeded Svetlanov as music director from 2002 to 2011. In 2011, Gorenstein caused controversy with his remarks about Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan during the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition,[2] which led to his removal as conductor for the competition. The orchestra then demanded Gorenstein's dismissal from the orchestra, with accusations of abusive behaviour.[3] Gorenstein was subsequently dismissed from the orchestra in September 2011.

In October 2011, the orchestra announced the appointment of Vladimir Jurowski as its principal conductor, with immediate effect, for an initial contract of 3 years.[4] Jurowski concluded his principal conductorship of the orchestra in 2021.[5]

Vasily Petrenko became principal guest conductor of the orchestra in 2016. In January 2021, the orchestra announced the appointment of Petrenko as its next principal conductor, effective 1 September 2021.[5]

Music Directors/Principal Conductors

References
  1. Robert D McFadden (2002-05-06). "Yevgeny Svetlanov, Conductor, Dies at 73". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  2. Hagai Hitron (2011-07-03). "Israeli violinist shares top award at international music competition". Haaretz. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  3. Ayano Hodouchi (2011-09-01). "Mutiny in the orchestra". The Moscow Times. Archived from the original on 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  4. "Vladimir Jurowski to be Artistic Director of State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia" (Press release). IMG Artists. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  5. "Vasily Petrenko will become the Artistic Director of the Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra" (Press release). State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
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