THE NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTR OF RUSSIA
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV


The National Philharmonic of Russia (NPR) was founded in January 2003 by the Ministry of Culture as commissioned by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Orchestra united top orchestra musicians and gifted youth. During the twelve years of its activities, the NPR has succeeded in becoming one of the best symphonic orchestras of Russia and in gaining admiration from the audience and recognition from the professionals.

The most important objective of the NPR is continuation of the legacy and traditions of three great Russian conductors: Evgeny Mravinsky, Kirill Kondrashin and Evgeny Svetlanov. The Orchestra aspires to preserve the most valuable of their heritage, while forming its own style which combines great traditions and new technologies.

The Orchestra is headed by Maestro Vladimir Spivakov, a world-known violinist and conductor. Prominent conductors are collaborating and regularly performing with the NPR. Along with Vladimir Spivakov, the National Philharmonic of Russia has been collaborating with such sought-after maestros as James Conlon, Ken-David Masur, Krzysztof Penderecki, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Otto Tausk, Simon Gaudenz, Alexander Vedernikov, Tugan Sokhiev, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Jan Latham-Koenig, John Nelson, Michel Plasson, Okko Kamu and others.

During past years the NPR has performed with many outstanding artists, such as opera stars Jessye Norman, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa, Dmitry Hvorostovsky, Maria Gulegina, Juan Diego Florez, Matthias Goerne, Waltraud Meier, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Marcelo Alvarez, Ramon Vargas, Violeta Urmana, Anna Netrebko, violinists Gidon Kremer, Gil Shaham, Hilary Hahn, Laurent Korcia, cellists Natalia Gutman, Alexander Knyazev, Tatiana Vasilieva, pianists Arkady Volodos, Barry Douglas, Boris Berezovsky, Kun Woo-Paik, Marc-Andre Hamelin. Among many artists who have worked with the NPR on a regular basis are John Lill, Denis Matsuev, Nikoly Lugansky, Vadim Gluzman, Hibla Gerzmava, Albina Shagimuratova, Anna Aglatova, Vasily Ladyuk, Dmitry Korchak, Nikolay Tokarev, Alexander Romanovsky, Sergey Dogadin.

Another important objective of the Orchestra is supporting young gifted musicians and providing appropriate conditions for their professional and artistic growth. During the 2004/2005 season the Orchestra formed a group of apprentices-conductors. The brightest of them have been given the opportunity to make a debut in the NPR’s concerts at the Moscow House of Music and the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.

The NPR’s repertoire covers the period from early classical symphonies to the newest works of modern composers. In the course of eleven years the Orchestra has presented many exceptional projects, world premieres, unique transcription series and concert cycles.

In accordance with its status and name, the National Philharmonic of Russia gives concerts not only in Moscow, but in various regions of Russia as well. The NPR ends up each season with a tour in Russia.

Every year the NPR takes part in the International Music Festival in Colmar, France. The Orchestra has toured extensively over the CIS countries and the Baltic countries, in Europe, the USA, and Japan.

In May 2005 the Capriccio Recording Company released CD and DVD of Isaak Schwartz’s Concert for Orchestra, titled “Yellow Stars”, recorded by the NPR under the baton of Vladimir Spivakov to whom the composer dedicated the work. In 2010-2014 Sony Classical released several NPR’s CD’s with music of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Rimsky-Korsakov, Grieg.