The International Organ Music Festival "Bells of Sophia" will be held in Polotsk
“Music, like rain, seeps into the heart drop by drop and revives it” – this is the epigraph chosen for the festival by the organizers. The concert hall of St. Sophia Cathedral, as its head Elena Martynova noted, is considered one of the best in Europe. The unique acoustics and atmosphere of this unique architectural monument attract performers from different countries and numerous guests. This year, the celebration of high art will once again offer listeners unforgettable encounters. The program includes seven bright and diverse concerts, where the organ will be heard in ensemble with a baroque trumpet and saxophone, clarinet and recorder, orchestra and choir.
On October 20, lovers of the Baroque era will appreciate the performance of the best classical musicians of Belarus: Tatyana Gavrilova (soprano), Alexander Akhremko (baroque trumpet), Kallinika Medvedeva (organ). On October 24, masterpieces of world classical music will be performed by the chamber choir of the Gomel Regional Philharmonic, the chamber orchestra "Europe-Center," and the Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus, soloist of the St. Sophia Cathedral concert hall Ksenia Pogorelaya.
Subsequent concerts will be held at a convenient time on Sundays at 3 p.m. Pierre Zevort (France), titular organist of the Basilica of Dourdan, young talents from Russia Denis Makhan'kov and Dina Ikhina, and the renowned German performer Susanne Erhardt (recorder, clarinet) will come to Polotsk. The duo of Hiroko Inoue (Japan) and Veronica Kozhuharova (Russia) promises to break stereotypes – works of classical heritage will coexist with jazz masterpieces, ancient organ music, and compositions by contemporary composers. The festival will conclude on November 24: with the support of the Polish Institute in Minsk, laureate of international competitions, holder of the "Organist of New Europe" award, Michał Kocoń, will perform under the vaults of St. Sophia for the first time in Belarus.