On 13 May, the Russian House in Brussels hosted a concert by the Gnesin Ensemble of Contemporary Choral Music “Altro coro” under the direction of Alexander Sergeyevich Ryzhinsky — the ensemble’s artistic director, principal conductor, Rector of the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, Doctor of Arts, and laureate of the Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation.
The evening programme, entitled “Slavic Heritage”, was dedicated to the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture — a holiday celebrated annually on 24 May in honour of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Slavic alphabet. This day invariably reminds us of the spiritual unity of the Slavic peoples and of the continuity of language, music, and cultural memory passed down from generation to generation.
The concert unfolded as an integral musical and poetic narrative in which folk tradition entered into a subtle and expressive dialogue with contemporary compositional art. The central theme of the programme was the life of Russian peasants throughout the cycle of the seasons — with its labour and festivities, lyricism and rituals, inner contemplation and vivid emotionality.
A special place in the programme was devoted to authentic examples of Russian musical folklore. Performed by the choir were lyrical songs from the Vologda region — “Kalinushka”, “Shyol moy milyy berezhkom”, and “Vanya” — as well as the lively chastushkas “Derevenskaya” and an improvised dance on the theme of “Barynya”. These works created a vivid fabric of folk tradition, conveying the intonations of rural life, the beauty of folk speech, and the natural musicality of Russian song.
Alongside the folk compositions, the programme featured works by contemporary Russian composers who reinterpret the national musical tradition in a new way. The audience heard compositions by Alexander Tchaikovsky, works by Efrem Podgaits, as well as compositions by Kuzma Bodrov. In these works, folk intonation became the foundation for new musical imagery.
The vibrant folk-style vocals of Yulia Ryzhinskaya linked ancient singing traditions with the contemporary academic style of the choir. An important role in the concert’s dramaturgy was also played by poems by Russian poets — presented both in the original and in French translations.
The central place of the evening was given to the domra — an ancient Russian instrument serving as a bridge between two musical worlds: the academic and the folk traditions. Its part was performed by Ekaterina Mochalova — graduate and faculty member of the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, soloist of the N. P. Osipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia, artistic director of the “Prima Domra” Festival, and laureate of major international competitions in domra and mandolin performance.
The piano part was performed by international competition laureate Alexey Vaker.
The Ensemble of Contemporary Choral Music “Altro coro” is a student ensemble of the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music and laureate of nine international competitions. The ensemble is renowned for its attention to contemporary choral music, its search for new artistic forms, and its aspiration to unite tradition with a modern musical language.
The concert “Slavic Heritage” in Brussels became not only a musical event, but also an artistic reflection on cultural memory, national tradition, and its contemporary resonance. On this evening, folk song, poetry, and choral art came together in a single cultural space where the past and the present engage in a living and profound dialogue.
