Saint Petersburg Music House, under the leadership of the People's Artist of Russia, Professor Sergei Roldugin, and the Representation of Rossotrudnichestvo in Luxembourg, Paris and Brussels, present the concert series "Embassy of Musical Mastery". This event will feature young, exceptionally talented Russian soloists performing in celebration of Russia Day, observed on June 12.
 
On Friday, June 7, at 7:00 PM, soloists from the Saint Petersburg Music House, laureates of international competitions, will perform at the Russian House in Luxembourg. The performers include violinist Arseniya Sibileva, harpist Ekaterina Dvoretckaia, and pianist Timofey Dolya. The concert will be held at 32 Goethe Street in Luxembourg, with entry granted upon prior registration at culture@lux.rs.gov.ru. The event is suitable for audiences aged 6 and above.  The evening’s program features compositions by Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Balakirev, Glazunov, and Prokofiev. 
 
The program will commence with "Dawn on the Moscow River," the overture to Mussorgsky's opera "Khovanshchina," which is celebrated as a masterpiece of global opera classics. Mussorgsky dedicated eight years to the creation of this opera but did not manage to complete it; after his death, the work was continued by Rimsky-Korsakov. The overture, composed in the years 1873-1874, serves as an introduction of remarkable beauty, depicting a landscape scene of nature awakening. This imagery symbolizes the impending changes in Russia and the hopes for a promising future. The composition will be performed in a concert version for solo harp by Valery Kikta.
Additionally, the theme of love from Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonic suite "Scheherazade" will be featured in an arrangement for solo harp. This suite, composed in 1888 and inspired by the Arabian tales from the collection "One Thousand and One Nights," allowed the composer to fully explore and express the theme of the East. Initially, Rimsky-Korsakov assigned titles to each part of the suite, but he later abandoned these programmatic hints, leaving the question open as to which specific episodes inspired the creation of the suite's vivid images.
These pieces will be performed by harpist Ekaterina Dvoretskaya, a laureate of international competitions.
 
Alexander Glazunov's first ballet experience, the ballet "Raymonda," marked a significant triumph for the composer. At its premiere in January 1898 at the Mariinsky Theatre, Glazunov was honored with a laurel wreath. This ballet continues to be a cherished part of the prestigious theatre's repertoire. In the concert program, the Grand Adagio from the ballet "Raymonda" will be presented in an arrangement for violin and piano by Efrem Zimbalist.
Mily Balakirev, the founder of the renowned creative association of composers known as "The Mighty Five," did not receive a formal musical education. Despite this, he was an exceptional virtuoso pianist, a notable composer, and a conductor. Balakirev composed orchestral, piano, and vocal works. In 1874, he composed a salon piece titled "Impromptu" for violin and piano, which remains his only work for this particular instrument. 
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is perhaps the most beloved composer worldwide. Every minute, his music is played somewhere across the globe. In May 1878, Tchaikovsky composed a cycle of three pieces for violin, titled "Souvenir of a Beloved Place." The initial publication bore the title "Souvenir d’un lieu cher." This collection ranks among Tchaikovsky's most popular compositions for violin. The program for the evening will feature the third piece from this collection, the lyrical "Melody." Additionally, the program will include the brilliant concert Waltz-scherzo for violin and piano, which Tchaikovsky composed in 1877 and dedicated to the violinist Joseph Kotek. The rhythm of the waltz in this miniature perfectly complements the lightness and rapid tempo of the scherzo. 
These pieces will be performed by Arseniya Sibileva, a laureate of international competitions, with the piano part performed by Timofey Dolya, who is also a laureate of international competitions. 
 
"Romeo and Juliet" by Sergei Prokofiev is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the 20th century, although the ballet's journey to the stage was paradoxically challenging. Initially, theatres refused to stage it, deeming Prokofiev's music unsuitable for dancing. The ballet's eventual success was significantly influenced by Prokofiev's ingenious idea to bring the ballet music to the concert stage. In 1936, Prokofiev composed symphonic suites based on "Romeo and Juliet." Following this, he created ten piano transcriptions that reflected the ballet's scenes, images, and storyline, arranging these pieces to emphasize contrasts. The concert will feature the following piano transcriptions: "Folk Dance," "Scene," "Minuet," "Juliet as a Young Girl," "Masks," "Montagues and Capulets (Dance of the Knights)," "Mercutio," "Dance of the Antilles Girls," and "Romeo and Juliet Before Parting."
These pieces will be performed by pianist Timofey Dolya, a laureate of international competitions.
 
On Monday, June 10, at 7:00 PM,  the "Embassy of Musical Mastery" concert will take place at the Russian House in Paris, located at 61 rue Boissière, Paris. Admission to this event is free, and it is suitable for audiences aged 6 and above. The concert program, dedicated to Russia Day, will also honor the anniversaries of two legendary Russian composers: the 185th anniversary of Modest Mussorgsky's birth and the 180th anniversary of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's birth. International competition laureates, violinist Arseniya Sibileva and pianist Timofey Dolya, will perform a selection of works by Balakirev, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, and Zimbalist.
 
The evening's program will begin with the Song of the Indian Guest from Rimsky-Korsakov's opera "Sadko." This enchanting melody, rich with Eastern influences, has been arranged for violin and piano by Fritz Kreisler. Rimsky-Korsakov completed this opera in the fall of 1896, and its premiere took place a year later at Savva Mamontov's private opera in Moscow. Initially, the composer had proposed the work to the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, which had refused it. However, the theatre staged "Sadko" in 1901.
Alexander Glazunov, a prominent Russian composer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is best known for his exceptional ballets and instrumental compositions. In the concert, the Grand Adagio from his ballet "Raymonda" will be performed, arranged for violin and piano by Efrem Zimbalist.
Rimsky-Korsakov's opera "The Golden Cockerel," based on Pushkin's fairy tale, served as a source of inspiration for the renowned violinist Efrem Zimbalist. In 1967, Zimbalist crafted his own interpretation of the opera's most captivating melodies, resulting in the Fantasy on Themes from "The Golden Cockerel" for violin and piano.
The program will also feature Mily Balakirev's dazzling salon piece "Impromptu" for violin and piano, which is his only work dedicated to the violin.
From Tchaikovsky's collection "Souvenir of a Beloved Place," which is among his most popular violin compositions, the miniature "Meditation" will be presented to the Parisian audience. Tchaikovsky regarded this piece as "the best, but also the most difficult" in the cycle.
Modest Mussorgsky, while composing the opera based on Gogol's story "Sorochinskaya Fair," aimed to create a "Little Russian role" for his friend, the Ukrainian singer Osip Petrov. The opera's creation was protracted, with significant interruptions. Mussorgsky often performed fragments of the work in concerts, including the piece Hopak. This number will be performed in an arrangement by Rachmaninoff for violin and piano. Mussorgsky did not manage to complete the opera before his death, and it was subsequently finished by Cui, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Lyadov.
These compositions will be performed by Arseniya Sibileva, a laureate of international competitions, with the piano part played by Timofey Dolya, who is also a laureate of international competitions. 
 
The famous "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Modest Mussorgsky celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. This programmatic cycle was composed in memory of Mussorgsky's friend, the talented artist Viktor Hartmann. The idea for this collection came to Mussorgsky after he visited an exhibition of Hartmann's works. Mussorgsky composed the piece in just three weeks in June 1874. In "Pictures at an Exhibition," Mussorgsky brilliantly used instrumental music to capture the essence of Hartmann's sketches and paintings, which range from scenes of everyday life to fantastical and historical themes. The transitions between the different pieces are seamlessly connected by interludes that bind the compositions together. This work is widely regarded as Mussorgsky's most significant composition for the piano.
The performance of "Pictures at an Exhibition" will be given by Timofey Dolya, a pianist and laureate of international competitions.

On Thursday, June 13, at 7:00 PM, the "Embassy of Musical Mastery" concert will be held at the Russian House in Brussels, located at 21, Rue du Méridien. Admission to this event is free, and it is suitable for audiences aged 6 and above. The concert will feature performances by pianist Anastasiia Kliuchereva, flutist Azalia Nogmanova, and cellist Grigory Filipchenko, all of whom are laureates of international competitions. They will present a program that includes works by Balakirev, Tchaikovsky, Davydov, Alyabyev, Platonov, and Rachmaninov.
 
The concert program will begin with Tchaikovsky's Pezzo Capriccioso for cello and piano. This piece, composed in August 1887 over the span of just one week, is among Tchaikovsky's most renowned instrumental works. It has become a staple in the repertoire of virtually every performing cellist today.
Next on the program is the cello miniature "At the Fountain" by Karl Davydov, a 19th-century Russian composer. This piece evokes the joy of a sunny day and the shimmering droplets of water from a fountain. Davydov's music is characterized by its clear and expressive melodies, paired with dazzling virtuosity. "At the Fountain" holds a prestigious place in the golden repertoire of cello music.
The program will also include movements from Rachmaninov's Sonata for Cello and Piano, composed in 1901. This sonata features a dialogue between the cello and piano, creating a cohesive and unified composition. It also incorporates avant-garde stylistic elements along with Rachmaninoff's signature powerful chords. The evening will feature the Andante and Allegro movements from the Sonata, with the Andante being considered one of the peaks of Rachmaninoff's lyrical compositions.
These compositions will be performed by Grigory Filipchenko, an international competition laureate, on cello, with the piano part played by Anastasiia Kliuchereva, also a laureate of international competitions.
 
One of Rachmaninov's most recognizable works, "Vocalise," has become a musical symbol of Russia worldwide. Originally composed for voice and piano, this piece has been adapted into numerous versions for various ensembles. In this concert program, "Vocalise" will be presented in an arrangement for flute and piano. The profound sadness, piercing tenderness, and remarkable expansiveness of this music evoke vivid images of the vast Russian landscapes.
The next composition is also deeply infused with quintessentially Russian motifs, reflecting the country's history, natural beauty, and song-like character. It is "Variations on the Song 'Red Sarafan'" for flute and piano, composed by Soviet flutist and educator Nikolai Platonov. This piece utilizes the theme of a 19th-century romance. The original creators, composer Alexander Varlamov and poet Nikolai Tsyganov, gained fame through this romance, and their "Red Sarafan" achieved popularity not only in Russia but also in the West, where it was regarded as a Russian national song. 
Alexander Alyabyev, a popular 19th-century composer, left behind a creative legacy of approximately 500 works across various genres, including operas, vaudevilles, sacred and secular choral music, romances, symphonic and chamber music, and song arrangements. Despite his extensive oeuvre, Alyabyev's true fame came from his renowned romance "The Nightingale." This touching and heartfelt melody will be performed in an arrangement for flute and piano. 
These compositions will be performed by Azalia Nogmanova, a laureate of international competitions, on the flute. She will be accompanied by Anastasiia Kliuchereva, also a laureate of international competitions, on the piano. 
 
The piano section of the evening's program will commence with Tchaikovsky's Theme and Variations in F major, which serves as the concluding piece in his cycle of six piano pieces, Op. 19. This composition, completed in 1873, encapsulates the finest aspects of Tchaikovsky's early creative period and his distinctive, individual style. The variations in this piece combine song-like qualities with elements of dance and other musical genres.
Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" had its premiere at the end of 1892. However, the suite, which features selections from the ballet, was created even earlier. Tchaikovsky intended for the suite to be performed in symphonic programs and first presented it to the public in the spring of 1892. The renowned pianist Mikhail Pletnev, known for his exceptional interpretations of Tchaikovsky's music, later crafted a piano arrangement of the Concert Suite. This arrangement will be performed as part of the evening's program.
The evening will conclude with a dazzling virtuoso piece by Balakirev – the Oriental Fantasy "Islamey," composed in 1869. Following his visit to the Caucasus, Balakirev was deeply inspired by the local folklore, particularly a dance melody known as "Islamey," which is a type of lezginka. This energetic and lively dance tune inspired Balakirev to compose this piece. "Islamey" is known for its impressive and technically demanding passages, making it a showcase of virtuosity.
These compositions will be performed by a pianist Anastasiia Kliuchereva, who is a laureate of numerous international competitions.
 
Anastasiia Kliuchereva, a 20-year-old pianist, is a graduate of the Central Music School at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she studied under the guidance of People's Artist of Russia, Professor Mikhail Voskresensky. Currently, she is pursuing her studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, under the tutelage of Professor Pavel Gililov. Anastasia was awarded the Grand Prix at the 30th International Competition for Young Musicians “Citta di Barletta” in Italy in 2020. In the same year, she won the 2nd International Young Pianists Competition named after S.V. Rachmaninoff in Moscow. In 2021, she secured the second prize at the International Competition “Euregio Piano Award” and won the International Competition “Orbetello Piano Competition” in Italy.
She won the International Competition “Chieti Classica” (Italy, 2021). She won the International Competition “Chieti Classica” (Italy, 2022). She emerged as the winner at the International Mozart Competition in China in 2023. The same year, she won the International Youth Music Competition named after I. Stravinsky in Saint Petersburg. In 2024, Anastasia earned third place at the International Piano Competition “Classic Piano” in Dubai, UAE, and won the International Piano Competition “WPTA” in Italy. Since 2021, she has been a participant in the programs of the Saint Petersburg Music House.
Arseniya Sibileva, a 22-year-old violinist, is currently a student at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She studies under the tutelage of Professor Sergey Kravchenko, who is an Honored Artist of the RSFSR. Arseniya has won the Gold Medal at the XVIII Youth Delphic Games of Russia in both 2018 and 2019. She also won the II International Competition "Jumeirah Sounds" held in Dubai, UAE, in 2018. In addition, she was awarded the third prize at the IV International Violin Competition named after Leonid Kogan in Belgium in 2020. Arseniya currently plays on a violin made by the Italian master Gaetano Pasta in the early 18th century, which has been provided to her by the Saint Petersburg Music House. She has been an active participant in the programs of the Saint Petersburg Music House since 2020.
Ekaterina Dvoretckaia, a 20-year-old harpist, is also a student at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She studies under the guidance of Associate Professor Elena Ilyinskaya, who is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. Ekaterina has garnered numerous accolades in her career, including winning the XV International Competition for Young Musicians in the "String Instruments" category in Moscow in 2019. She is also a laureate of the V International Performers Competition "Classical Academy" held in Moscow in 2020, and the 21st Israel International Harp Competition in 2022. Additionally, she is a scholarship recipient from both the V. Spivakov Foundation and the "New Names" Foundation, which she received in 2019. Ekaterina has been participating in the programs of the Saint Petersburg Music House since 2020.
Timofey Dolya, a 30-year-old pianist, is a graduate of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where he completed both his studies and an assistantship under the same teacher. Since 2019, Timofey has been serving as an assistant-trainee at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, studying under the guidance of Professor Jan von Arnim. He received the third prize at the III All-Russian Music Competition held in Moscow in 2018, and the second prize at the IV International Online Piano Competition "City of Vigo" in Spain in 2020. He was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Piano Competition named after Rudolf Kerer in Moscow in 2021. Timofey is also a recipient of the Russian Presidential Scholarship for Talented Youth, which he received in 2016. He has been actively participating in the programs of the Saint Petersburg Music House since 2017.
Grigory Filipchenko, a 25-year-old cellist, began his studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 2016. He studied under the tutelage of the People's Artist of the USSR, Professor Natalia Shakhovskaya, and the Honored Artist of Russia, Boris Andrianov. Grigory continued his education in the assistantship program at the Moscow Conservatory, studying with Boris Andrianov and the Honored Artist of Russia, Vladimir Balshin. He is currently furthering his studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, in the class of Professor Enrico Bronzi. Grigory's achievements include winning the VI International Music Competition "Musician's Inspiration" in Moscow in 2017, securing the second prize at the International Competition "Citta di Padova" in Italy in 2021, and receiving laureate titles at both the "France Music Competition" and the "International Music Competition" in France in 2022. In 2023, he won the first prize at the International Music Competition dedicated to I.F. Stravinsky in Moscow. Grigory has been a participant in the programs of the Saint Petersburg Music House since 2018.
 
June 7, 2024. Concert begins at 7:00 PM
32 Rue Goethe, Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Centre russe Luxembourg
Entry by prior registration at culture@lux.rs.gov.ru 
Audience: 6+
Tel.: +352 264 803 22
 
June 10, 2024. Concert begins at 7:00 PM
61 Rue Boissière, Paris, France. Centre Culturel de Russie
Free entry
Audience: 6+
Tel.: +33 1 44 34 79 79
 
June 13, 2024. Concert begins at 7:00 PM
21 Rue du Méridien, Brussels, Belgium. Russian House Brussels
Free entry
Audience: 6+
Tel.: +32 2 219 01 33
 
"Embassy of Musical Mastery" is an annual project of the Saint Petersburg Music House, which has been running since 2012. This initiative spans both various regions of Russia and numerous countries  around the world. The project includes traveling masterclass sessions conducted by leading musicians in six regions across Russia, as well as tours by successful young soloists at Russian Centers of Science and Culture abroad. The concert portion of the project is conducted in collaboration with Rossotrudnichestvo, the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation.
In 2024, the "Embassy of Musical Mastery" concerts are anticipated to take place in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Japan, Moldova, and Morocco. For the first time, the project will also be presented in Lebanon and Tunisia, along with other countries.

The Saint Petersburg Music House is a federal cultural institution that was established in 2006. Its primary goal is to prepare young Russian musicians for international competitions and festivals. The institution is located in the palace of Grand Duke Alexey Alexandrovich at 122 Moika River Embankment.
The artistic director of the Saint Petersburg Music House is the renowned cellist, People's Artist of Russia, Professor Sergei Roldugin.
For more information, please visit: www.spdm.ru or call: +7 (812) 702-60-96