The Belarusian State Philharmonic is a musical institution based in

Minsk Minsk ( be, Мінск ; russian: Минск) is the capital and the largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach and the now subterranean Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the admi ...

, Belarus.

History

The Belarusian State Philharmonic was founded on 25 April 1937. It featured a symphony orchestra, a Belarusian folk instruments ensemble, a dance ensemble, and a choir. A 930-seat concert hall on

Yakub Kolas Square The Yakub Kolas Square ( be, Плошча Якуба Коласа - ''Plošča Jakuba Kolasa'') is a square in Pershamayski District of Minsk, located on the crossing of Independence Avenue, Yakub Kolas street and Vera Khoruzhaya street. The squa ...

opened its doors in April 1963. In 2004–2005, the hall underwent renovation. Nowadays, the Philharmonic houses the Great Hall, with 688 seats, and the Small Hall named after R. Shirma, with 200 seats. On 13 August 2020, following the 2020 presidential election and the brutal crackdown during anti-government rallies by riot police, the Philharmonic employees joined the protests with posters ''My Voice Was Stolen'' and a performance of the iconic song '' Mighty God'' by Gregory Shirma Choir . The Philharmonic continued the protests by singing ''

Kupalinka Kupalinka is a popular Belarusian song described as a “musical business card of Belarus”. Lyrics The song's lyrical heroine, the Kupala Night Maiden is “weeding a rose, piercing her white hands” and “plucking flowers, weaving wreaths, ...

'', ''

Pahonia The coat of arms of Lithuania consists of a mounted armoured knight holding a sword and shield, known as (). Since the early 15th century, it has been Lithuania's official coat of arms and is one of the oldest European coats of arms. It is als ...

'' by M. Bogdanovich, ''Break the Prison Walls'', and other songs around Minsk: on Yakub Kolas Square, in front of

Minsk Tractor Works Minsk Tractor Works ( be, Мінскі трактарны завод, Minski traktarny zavod; russian: Минский тракторный завод; MTZ) is a Belarusian agricultural machinery manufacturer with headquarters in Minsk, Belarus. M ...

, at the indoor pavilion of Komarovsky market, at Kupalovskaya metro station, and in the atriums of Capital and Gallery shopping centers.

List of Departments

* State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus * National Academic Folk Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus named after I.Zhinovich * State Academic Capella Choir of the Republic of Belarus named after G. Shirma * State Chamber Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus * State Chamber Choir of the Republic of Belarus * Ensemble ''Classic-Avant-garde'' * Minsk String Quartet * Ensemble of soloists under the direction of I. Ivanov * Belarusian State Folk Music Ensemble ''Svyata'' * Ensemble ''Camerata'' * Folklore group ''

'' * Belarusian Poetic Theater of One Actor ''Znich'' * Concert and tour department * Youth programs

Soloists

* Arutyunova Natalia (cymbals)

Architecture

The original philharmonic hall was built in 1959-1963 under the direction of G. Benedict. In 1983, five-story wings were added on both sides. The main facade is decorated with porticoes featuring six fluted pillars and a triangular pediment. Semicircular bay windows on the side facades open to the staircase foyer with a colonnade. The gypsum facades are finished with block masonry and an impressive cornice. The Greater Hall is designed as an amphitheater; it features an organ created by Czech craftsmen. The interior is decorated with the tapestry ''Music'' (1976; by V. Nemtsov, V. Tkachev, A. Yaskin).

External links

Official Belarusian State Philharmonic site

References