Old songs in a modern way: "Firebird" ethno-concert took place at the RUSSIA EXPO

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On June 25, during the presentation of the Kursk Korenskaya Fair at the RUSSIA EXPO, an ethno-concert "Firebird" took place. It was attended by the Governor Chamber Orchestra of Kursk region and folklore ensemble "Noon" of the Kursk Musical College named after Georgy Sviridov. Maestro Sergei Proskurin was at the conductor's desk.

"Firebird" is a unique concert program based on the records of old songs collected in ethnographic expeditions in the Kursk region, which were passed from mouth to mouth. The musical material is connected by meaning and tells about the year-round everyday life of a Russian person in the olden days.

"Today we are presenting the "Firebird" show on the Exposition's Main Stage. It describes all four seasons. We begin with spring, because from ancient times it was believed that its arrival was heralded by birds. Our first piece is a ritual call of spring. Then follow summer, fall and winter seasons," said the artistic director of the folklore ensemble "Noon" of the Kursk Musical College named after Georgy Sviridov Anastasia Ivanenkova.

Guests of the Exposition heard ancient melodies and texts reworked into modern author's arrangements for chamber orchestra, folk band, folk choir and rock section.

"Almost all the ensemble works presented today — three in each cycle-season — are songs recorded in the Kursk region in folklore and ethnographic expeditions by teachers and students of the Georgy Sviridov Kursk College of Music," added Anastasia Ivanenkova.

She also noted the importance of holding the concert at the RUSSIA EXPO. "In my opinion, our performance here is not accidental. Exactly 200 years ago Kursk Korenskaya Fair gained the status of an international fair, and we are a kind of carriers of our traditional culture. Who else but us to broadcast it from the Main Stage of the Exposition? Today is a very exciting and responsible day for us, but we are very happy that we have the opportunity to demonstrate our traditional folklore on such a platform," she concluded.

This year Kursk Korenskaya Fair celebrates 200 years since it was granted the status of an international fair.