| St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra
St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra took an outstanding place in the history of Russian culture. It was a first professional choir, first music school, symphony orchestra, and first opera performances of world classic masterpieces.
 The symphony orchestra's date of birth can apparently be on December 25, 1882, when its first performance took place under the direction of Hermann Fliege in the place at Gatchina, to the south of St. Petersburg. The orchestra's first conductor was Austrian musician Martin Frank who was also appointed conductor at the same time, was a graduated of the Berlin Conservatoire and the Bach Institute. Franc worked with the orchestra until 1888, but Fleige stayed on for 25 years. One further German conductor made a notable mark in the history of the orchestra - Johann-Christian Wahrlich who worked with in from 1888 to 1918.
In 1883 Mily Balkirev was appointed head of the Court Capella, while Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was named as his assistance. The latter taught the orchestra class in the music school and accomplished the task so well that gradually his former pupils came to the leading roles in the orchestra. Incidentally, another alumnus of the Capella was Sergei Kusevitsky who learned to play the double bass here.
In its first decade the orchestra's activates were exclusive in character, restricted mainly to concerts in the palaces before select audiences. From 1893 onwards, however, the orchestra began to hold public rehearsals in the hall and these effectively turned into concerts, often with first-class soloists. These semi-public performances were mentioned more often in the press. After 1902 the orchestra began to give regular concerts hall of the Court Capella. At these performances alongside with forgotten pieces by old composers, they played works by contemporary Russian and foreign composers. These occasions were the first to present Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben and Also Sprach Zaratustra, Dittersdorf's 7th Symphony, Stravinsky's 1st Symphony and his Faun and Shepherdess suit, Mahler's 1st Symphony, Bruckner's 9th and other. And during these same years the conductor's baton was held by Arthur Nikishin, Gustav Mahler and Alexander Glasunov (who dedicated his Festive Overture to the orchestra), followed by Richard Strauss, Willem Mengelberd, the eight-year-old Willy Ferrero, Eduard Napravnik and Nikolai Golovanov.
After revolution of 1917, the former court chorus both actively continued to give concerts. In 1921 the Philharmonic Society was formed and given the building that had belonged to the Assembly of the Nobility. The orchestra passed under its control and was headed by major conductors: e. Cooper (1920-23), V. Berdyaev, N Malko (1926-29), A. Gauk (1930-34).
Among those who performed with the orchestra during this period were Otto Klemperer, Hermann Abendort, Bruno Walter and Fritz Stiedry. The repertoire included world classics and pieces by modern composers - Bartok, Honegger, Hindermith, Milhaud, Casella, Prokofjev, Shostakovitch, Miaskovsky and Shcherbachev. In 1934 Fritz Stiedry headed the orchestra, then in 1938 the "Yevgeny Mravinsky era" began. It was under Mravinsky's leadership that the orchestra's fame spread far and wide and it was acknowledged as one of the best ensembles in the world.
Officially the biography of the new symphony orchestra of the St. Petersburg Capella began on November 1, 1991. But in actual fact in head already been in existence for several years as a body of predominantly young musicians: students and graduated of the St Petersburg Conservatoire. The orchestra includes brilliant solo player, many of whom have won prizes in competitions. The orchestra follows the traditions of St. Petersburg musical schools since in consists entirely of its alumni. It is a young team with bold artistic ideas; witch has gained the sympathy of the St. Petersburg public not only through its youthful daring, but also by its inspired playing. It can boast a direct line of inheritance from the Court Orchestra - the orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society since that body includes professors and teaches from the Conservatoire whose pupils has now taken their places on the platform of the Capella. For this reasons, despite the hiatus in the biography of this musicals ensemble, we are justified in saying that symphony orchestra of the St. Petersburg Capella has not began, but is continuing its activities.
Since its reborn with the orchestra renown soloists and conductors performed: Lainel Hampton, Mikis Theodorakis, Maria Farandury, Garry Karr, Dmitriy Bashkirov, Naum Shtarkman, Liana Issakadze, Rainhard Shwartz, Vladimir Mischouk, Henry Demarquette, Akira Naito, etc.
There are more than 50 published recordings with participation of the orchestra in different companies among which one of most important complete recordings of three operas, two cantos and Requiem by Mikis Theodorakis |
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