On June 5th and 6th, in the Russian House in Brussels there were the events dedicated to the great Russian composer Sergey Rachmaninov, organized jointly with the Russian National Museum of Music (Moscow) with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
A special guest Mikhail Bryzgalov, Director General of the Russian National Museum of Music, President of the Association of Music Museums and Collectors, honored art worker of the Russian Federation, laureate of the RF Government Prize in Culture, member of RF UNESCO Commission, member of the Public Council Commission for Cultural Cooperation under Rossotrudnichestvo, took part in the program of the Festival.
On June 5 in his online lecture “Sergei Rachmaninoff: “I am a Russian composer” he introduced the audience to the exhibition of the Museum of Music of the same name, opened at the Russian House in Brussels, and also told in details about the numerous events organized by the Museum of Music in Russia and abroad to celebrate the anniversary of the composer.
Watch the video of the lecture here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e3ZBXGjj1s&ab_channel=RussianHouseBrussels
On June 6, on Russian Language Day, the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Brussels hosted the finale of the museum’s exhibition “Sergei Rachmaninoff: ‘I am the Russian Composer.'”
The exhibition is based on scientific materials and museum pieces of Rachmaninov’s rich creative archive, donated to the Russian National Museum of Music by the composer’s relatives and close friends at different times.
As a composer, pianist and conductor, Rachmaninoff’s three major creative roles as well as other facets of his personality are brought to light in the exhibition, as Sergei Vasilyevich was a generous benefactor, loving family man and devoted friend. The exhibits include rarely exhibited and little-known documents and photographs.
An integral part of the exhibition is the multimedia content. With the help of QR codes it will be possible to listen to stock recordings of the most famous works by Rachmaninov performed by the author and other outstanding musicians. An unusual addition is the recordings of radio programs of the multimedia project “Expomusic”, which has no analogues in the world.
As we know, Pushkin’s works have been repeatedly represented in music: many Russian composers have created romances, operas, ballets, symphonic works, referring to Pushkin’s poetry and prose.
Sergei Rachmaninoff was no exception, immortalizing in his music the immortal poetic works of Alexander Pushkin.
The concert program included Sergei Rachmaninoff’s romances performed by Elena Fedorova (soprano), Inna van Mehelen (piano) and Salome Tsankashvili (piano).
The finale and concert took place on Russian Language Day, which is always celebrated around the world on Alexander Pushkin’s birthday. On this day, the Russian House in Brussels received much admiration from the guests of the event, who noted that it was thanks to this event they could better understand and appreciate the work of Sergei Rachmaninoff and his place in Russian culture and world civilization.
