SPbU Choir anniversary concert at the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia
A concert dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University was held in the Great Hall of the Saint Petersburg Shostakovich Academic Philharmonia.
The stage was shared by St Petersburg University Choir, St Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra (Honoured Ensemble of Russia), and soloists Petr Migunov (bass) and Daria Leibova (mezzo-soprano) (both Honoured Artists of Russia).
Eduard Krotman conducted the SPbU Choir in performing a capella works by Georgy Sviridov, including the famous Oratorio Pathétique set to verses by Vladimir Mayakovsky. The oratorio features fragments from several of Mayakovsky’s poems, such as Our March, Last Page of the Civil War, Khrenov’s Story about Kuznetskstroy and the People of Kuznetsk, and Conversation with Comrade Lenin.
Our songs are our weapons. Ringing voices — our gold.
Vladimir Mayakovsky, Our March
"I thought that such a grand production, featuring an orchestra and choir, was fitting to commemorate the University’s 300th anniversary. Selecting Russian repertoire was a patriotic choice, particularly significant and relevant today, — shared Eduard Krotman, the choir’s artistic director. — Since we decided to perform the Oratorio Pathétique, I did not make the programme colourful: the first part also consisted of works by Sviridov, mostly dedicated to the theme of the motherland. To diversify and enliven the concert, we added some short musical pieces based on Pushkin’s poems."
The St Petersburg University Choir, one of the oldest amateur choirs in Russia, was founded in 1889. It includes students, alumni from various faculties, and faculty members from SPbU. The ensemble focuses on performing large musical forms and has won awards in all-Russian and international competitions. The choir frequently collaborates with the Mariinsky Theatre and the Philharmonia for premieres and works with leading orchestras and soloists.
Eduard Krotman noted the concert’s success. The choir is preparing a new programme for the city’s birthday, which they will present at the end of May. The SPbU Choir will dedicate all their performances this season to St Petersburg University’s anniversary.