Kremlin Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra   

The Kremlin Philharmonic Orchestra (The Orchestra of the Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic Society, formerly known as the Gorky Symphony Orchestra) was founded in 1937 by Prof. A.Skulsky, who was its Principal Conductor until 1955. From 1946 to 1955 (except during the war years), Leo Ginsburg and Gavril Yudin also conducted the orchestra frequently.

In 1956 and 1957, Kiril Kondrashin was the KPO's Principal Conductor and, from 1957 to 1987, Israil Gusman held that position. From 1988 to 2000, Vladimir Ziva led the ensemble, and was succeeded by the Orchestra's present Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Alexander Skulsky. Prominent Guest Conductors include Yevgeny Svetlanov, Yuri Temirkanov, Valery Gergiev, Gennardi Rozhdestvensky, Veronica Dudarova, Yuri Simonov, Arvidas Jansons, Saulus Sondetskis, Eri Klaas, Gennardi Provatorov, Dzansug Kakhidze, Yuri Domarkas, Vasisli Sinaisky, Dmitrii Kitaenko, and Yevgeni Kolobov.

In Russia, the KPO is considered a "laboratory of modern music," and its ten "Modern Music Festivals" have dramatically influenced musical life, both in the former USSR and in Russia today. The Second Festival (1964) featured works by Dmitry Shostakovich, and The Tenth Festival (1989) was dedicated to compositions by Alfred Schnittke.

The premieres of many contemporary compositions were given by the ensemble, including works by D.Shostakovich, A.Khatchaturian, T.Khrennikov, K.Karaev, R.Shchedrin, A.Schnittke, and A.Eshpay. The KPO maintains close artistic relations with today's leading Russian composers, and their works figure prominently in the each season's repertoire. The Orchestra is a frequent participant in the Andrey Sakharov International Art Festival, held in Nizhny Novgorod since 1992, and in 1996, was nominated "The Orchestra of the Year" by the Russian Newspaper "The Musical Review."

Until the early 1990s, the KPO was unable to perform abroad, but made frequent tours to Moscow, St. Petersburg, the capitals of the Baltic States, and cities in the Volga region, Caucasus, and Central Asia. The first time the Orchestra toured internationally was to the Music Days in March Festival in Rusa, Bulgaria, in 1990. The KPO later performed at the Silver Strings Festival in France in 1993 and 1994, the same years that tours were undertaken to Spain and Belgium. In 1995, the Orchestra participated in the International Beethoven Festival in Bad-Zwesten, Germany.

The Kremlin Philharmonic Orchestra has made many recordings for radio and televisions, as well as several CDs.

Alexander Skulsky, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor - A graduate of the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory and, in the class of Prof. S.Rabinovich, the St. Petersburg Conservatory, Honored Artist of Russia, Alexander Skulsky has been associated with the Kremlin Philharmonic Orchestra for 30 years.

Under his direction, the KPO has performed more than 1,000 programs, including the symphonies of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Beethoven, Brahms, and Schuman; the major works of Brahms, Mozart, and Haydn; and rarely performed symphonies by Mahler, Bruckner, and Hindemith.

Skulsky is especially noted for his programming of unknown and forgotten works by the most well-known composers, as well as introducing the work of new composers and musicians. His friendship with many of his country's most prominent musicians has brought their artistry to Nizhny Novgorod each season.

Professor of Conducting at the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory and the author of many articles and methodology manuals, Alexander Skulsky has toured throughout Russia and internationally, both with the Kremlin Philharmonic Orchestra and as a guest conductor, and participated in the Vienna Musical Summer Festival in 1994.

Reviews

"My dear and close friends: the staff of the Gorky Philharmonic and the musicians of the orchestra! Each time I perform in Gorky is a great pleasure for me."

Mstislav Rostopovich

"The orchestra's outstanding feature is its vigor. By this I mean its keen sense of rhythm, spontaneous playing, and sensitivity to every mood, nuance, and change in the music."

Ramon Torre Lledo, Spain

"The concerts conducted by Gorky conductor Skulsky included such rare works as Bruckner's 7th Symphony, the 5th Symphony of Honegger, Cherubini's Requiem, and the Suite from the "Gambler" by Prokofiev. Skulsky's conducting revealed his authentic gift for music, sensitivity to mood and style, firm yet not overbearing will, and subtle taste."

Soviet Music, Moscow