On February 11, the Kremlin will launch a series of concert programs "The Living Echo of the Battles of the Past"

On February 11, the State Kremlin Palace with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives will launch a series of concert programs "The Living Echo of Past Battles" dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. The audience will be offered five concerts, including outstanding musical works of patriotic orientation performed by renowned Russian ensembles and world-famous musicians. The event was organized by the Artes Cultural Charitable Foundation.

The cycle will be opened by the concert "And the 1812 thundered...". The theme of the musical evening on February 11 will be the feat of the Russian people, who defended their independence in the fight against Napoleon's troops and gave peace to Europe at the beginning of the century before last. The program includes works by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: the solemn overture "1812", cantata "Moscow" and Concerto No. 1 for piano and orchestra, in which the theme of boundless love for the native land, admiration for its beauty, strength, power and deep spirituality sounds. The evening will be attended by Dmitry Masleyev (piano), Alexander Sukhanov (baritone), Julia Mennibaeva (mezzo-soprano), People's Artist of Russia Yevgeny Knyazev (spoken word), the Great Symphony Orchestra named after P.I. Tchaikovsky (artistic director and artistic director), and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra. Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor - People's Artist of the USSR Vladimir Fedoseyev) and the State Academic Choral Chapel of Russia named after A.A. Yurlov (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor - People's Artist of Russia Gennady Dmitriak).

The program of the second concert "Arise, Russian People!" on March 18 will include Sergei Prokofiev's cantata "Alexander Nevsky" and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The musical text of the cantata "Alexander Nevsky", written for mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra, is based on the music composed by Prokofiev for the movie of the same name by Sergei Eiseinstein, filmed in 1938. The cantata consists of seven movements whose titles speak for themselves: "Russia under the Mongol Yoke," "Song about Alexander Nevsky," "Crusaders in Pskov," "The Battle of the Ice," "The Dead Field," "Alexander's Entry into Pskov," and the well-known "Arise, People of Russia!" which is often performed separately.

On April 21, as part of the third concert, entitled "You stood up, you survived, Leningrad!", Dmitry Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad Symphony" and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 will be performed. Sergei Rachmaninoff's Concerto No 2 was first performed by the composer in Moscow on October 27 (old style) 1901 - with the orchestra conducted by Alexander Ziloti. Today this work is part of the repertoire of all the world's leading pianists and is considered to be truly patriotic, imbued with the deepest love for the Fatherland. On April 29, within the framework of the fourth musical evening "I sing to you, holy Russia", Russian Orthodox choral music will be offered to the audience. It will be performed by the famous church choirs of Russia and the State Academic Choral Chapel of Russia named after A.A. Yurlov (artistic director and chief conductor - People's Artist of Russia Gennady Dmitriak).Orthodox choral music is the most important part of Russian culture, it carries a powerful charge of spiritual purification, awakens in the soul true faith, pride for the native land and heroes, for many centuries defending its right to independence and its unique historical path.

On May 3, as part of the fifth and final concert "Don't forget those formidable years", fragments of Vladimir Rubin's oratorio "July Sunday. Sevastopol, 1942", as well as famous songs of the Great Patriotic War and modern compositions dedicated to the heroic soldiers defending the country and the world from modern neo-Nazis. Performers: A.A. Yurlov State Academic Choral Chapel of Russia (artistic director and chief conductor - People's Artist of Russia Gennady Dmitriak), Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov, leading opera performers.

Musical director of the cycle of concert programs "The Living Echo of Past Battles", artistic director and chief conductor of the State Academic Choral Chapel of Russia named after A.A. Yurlov, People's Artist of Russia, Professor Gennady Dmytryak: "I had the idea of holding a historical festival dedicated to the glorious victories of the Russian army a long time ago. For several years I have been thinking over the content of the festival and the program of concerts, which would reflect, on the one hand, the steadfastness and courage of our people, and on the other hand - show the tragic trials and pain through which our country went. Gradually, in a joint discussion with colleagues, the idea of a cycle of concert programs "The living echo of past battles" was formed, revealing on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory the continuity of eight centuries of heroic national history".