The history of the orchestra began in 1931 when an ensemble was organized at the Leningrad Radio. Shortly after that, the ensemble grew to the level of a symphony orchestra. The orchestra, performing in the live air format and collaborating with many conductors, called for constant reinvigoration of a program and acquired flexibility in its performing manner. During the World War II Siege of Leningrad, this orchestra of Leningrad Radio was the only symphony orchestra remaining in the blockaded city. In August 1942, conducted by Karl Eliasberg, this orchestra played the historic Leningrad premiere of the Seventh Symphony by Shostakovich in the Philharmonia.

In the summer of 1953 it became the second orchestra of Leningrad Philharmonia. The orchestra gained fame in the nation as one of the best orchestras to accompany soloists, performing with Van Cliburn, Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Yehudi Menuhin and David Oistrakh. In 1968 right after PhD studies at Leningrad conservatory, Yuri Temirkanov joined the orchestra. His activity is related to the rapid growth in repertoire and important tours.

In 1977 the orchestra was taken over by its today’s artistic director Alexander Dmitriev. The orchestra has toured Europe, Asia, America and participated in prestigious international festivals. During the ensuing years in St. Petersburg, the orchestra presented premieres of music by Mahler, Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin, Tippet, Orff, Petrov and Slonimsky, who dedicated his Twelfth Symphony to the orchestra.

The season 2014/2015 is full of bright events. The Orchestra prepares a multimedia “Children Project”, including music and cartoon for the “Arts Square” Festival. A virtual “Promenade in Hermitage” is planned on March. The famous “Verklarte Nacht” will be performed to the 140th anniversary of Arnold Schoenberg, the “Love” Symphony to the 90th anniversary of Basner, “Gogol-Suite” to the 80th anniversary of Schnittke.

Alexander Dmitriev Artistic Director & Conductor

In the Season 2014/15 Alexander Dmitriev - Artistic Director and chief conductor of St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra – celebrates his 80th anniversary. He was born in Leningrad to the family of a Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra musician. He graduated from Glinka Choir College and the Leningrad State Conservatory, where he studied choir conducting and musical theory. After that Dmitriev enrolled in a graduate course of symphonic conducting, taught by Nikolai Rabinovich. For ten years (1961-1971) he led the Symphony Orchestra of Karelian Radio and Television and at that stage he won the 2nd National Conducting Competition. Then he took an internship at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, whereupon Mravinsky invited Dmitriev to join his highly respected Leningrad Symphony Orchestra.

In 1971-1977 Dmitriev led the Leningrad Small Opera and Ballet Theatre. For the first time in the Soviet Union he staged “Ifigenia in Aulide” and “Ifigenia in Tauride” by Gluck, “The Clever One” by Orff and, in collaboration with stage director Yuri Lyubimov and choreographer Oleg Vingradov, “Yaroslavna” ballet by Tishchenko.

In 1977, Dmitriev became chief conductor of the St. Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra. A thirtyyears collaboration of the conductor and orchestra led to the first performances in St.Petersburg of the Symphony No. 8 by Mahler, “Pelleas et Melisande” by Debussy and “The Child and the Enchantments” by Ravel, “The Power of Music” oratorio by Handel, “Prefatory Act” mysterium by Scriabin-Nemtin and plenty works by Leningrad-Petersburg composers.

Alexander Dmitriev is Professor of the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg state conservatory. For many years he has led the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra in Norway. Among his awards are the title of People’s artist of the USSR and Winner of the State Prize of the Russian Federation, “Order of Honour of Cultural and Art Merit, in recognition of his longstanding achievements”, Honorary symbol “For Merit for St. Petersburg” and the Prize of the St. Petersburg Government in Literature, Art and Architecture-2009, in “Musical Performing Art”.

"The opening tempo set by conductor Alexander Dmitriev was broad, spacious, and long range, lacking at times, in each movement of the huge symphony, a sense of drive and purpose."

- Herald Scotland

"I have never heard Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony played live by a Russian Orchestra. This was mesmeric playing by musicians with the ebb and flow of the music in their blood, guided by one of the greatest unsung conductors alive today."

- Classical Source

Programme

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