St.-Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra
"Klassika"
The St.-Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra "Klassika"
was founded by Maestro Alexander Kantorov in 1988 originally
as a chamber orchestra. The best musicians of St.Petersburg
were associated with this orchestra. They were all graduates
of the St.- Petersburg State conservatory, prize winners of
prestigious national and international music competitions.
The St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra KLASSIKA made rapid strides
and gathered vast plaudits from music lovers and professionals.
The musical traditions of the best St.Petersburg orchestras
were maintained by this orchestra and within 3 years it has
grown into a symphony orchestra. It now comprises more than
70 musicians.
The Orchestra's performances of Russian classical music have
met with critical acclaim. The Orchestra plays Russian music
with great inspiration: the music of Tchaikovsky, Rakhmaninov,
Mussorgsky and other famous Russian composers. The orchestra's
repertoire also includes symphonies by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven,
Brahms and Mendelssohn.
The concert programs make a bridge between epochs: the 18th
and 20th centuries, classical and contemporary music. The 19th
century is represented by Rossini's Overtures, Dvorak's and
Smetana's symphonies. Brilliant performances of contemporary
music have become unforgettable events in the musical life of
St.- Petersburg. The St.- Petersburg Symphony Orchestra KLASSIKA
regularly performs in Grand and Small Philharmonic Halls of
the D. Shostakovich State Philharmonic, St.-Petersburg, and
in the other prestigious concert halls all over Russia.
In February 1992 the KLASSIKA Orchestra was awarded the status
of the State Orchestra of St.-Petersburg.
The KLASSIKA Orchestra has successfully toured in Germany (1993,
95,96,97), Finland (1995), South Korea (1995) and in Japan (1993;
1996). In December 1995, Turku, Finland, (Guest conductor: Maestro
Karl Sollak, Austria) the Orchestra accompanied the concert
of Maestro Placido Domingo, who highly estimated the orchestra's
professional level.
Under the baton of Alexander Kantorov the orchestra toured in
the USA and Canada twice with great success. It performed 22
concerts in Mississippi, the USA (February-March, 1995). Besides
these very successful concerts, the Orchestra presented a special
educational program for the Mississippi college students and
was highly appreciated by the critics and public. The St.-Petersburg
State Symphony Orchestra KLASSIKA conducted by Maestro Kantorov
produced three records for "Melodia" (Mozart and Handel)
and three CDs entitled "Tchaikovsky Festival", "W.A.Mozart
in St.-Petersburg" and "Symphonic Dances".
