The Ivan Sollertinsky Festival supports classical music traditions in Vitebsk
The Ivan Sollertinsky International Music Festival keeps the flame of classical music alive in Vitebsk. This opinion was expressed by the son of the famous musicologist, Dmitry Sollertinsky, at the opening of the scientific readings of the 27th festival at the Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic.
The XXVII Ivan Sollertinsky International Music Festival is taking place at the Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic from December 1st to 18th. According to one of the organizers, Associate Professor of the Department of Music Theory at the Belarusian State Academy of Music, Nelly Matsaberidze, the festival continues the traditions of the "Vitebsk Renaissance of the early 20th century," carefully preserving and strengthening long-standing musical and artistic traditions and involving Vitebsk in the tour routes of famous world performers. For example, the opening concert on December 3rd can be called unique: on Ivan Sollertinsky's birthday, Shostakovich's trio "In Memory of I.I. Sollertinsky" and a work by American composer Copland dedicated to Vitebsk were performed at the Vitebsk Philharmonic. "The original score of this work with an autograph is kept at the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore. We are also essentially opening a new genre of historical music performance – a concert of early music on historical instruments: harpsichord and flute traversière. It is a great joy that at the closing concert on December 18th, we will hear our beloved Alexei Lubimov," added Nelly Matsaberidze.
The festival's opening act will also feature Irish pianist Michael O'Rourke, who resides in France. He was invited to Vitebsk by Dmitry Sollertinsky. Thanks to such personal connections, the city on the Dvina has a unique opportunity to hear and see world-class performers, which is a great value of the festival, according to its organizers.