A country rich in classics: All-Russian classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia" took place at the National Centre RUSSIA
The National Centre RUSSIA became one of the main stages for the All-Russian classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia" on Russia Day. Simultaneous concerts were held across 12 regions of the country, showcasing cultural unity. Classical music performed throughout the nation became a living embodiment of national pride and the continuity of musical traditions.
Visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA heard the immortal works of great Russian composers. The State Symphony Orchestra "New Russia," conducted by People’s Artist of the USSR Yuri Bashmet, performed pieces by Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka, Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff, Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev, and Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich.
"Our country is incredibly rich in classical legacy. We have Tchaikovsky, Pushkin, Tolstoy, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev. The very word 'Russia' unites our history. It is a celebration of the past, present, and future of our nation. Classical music is eternal, just like the achievements of our scientists, doctors, and musicians. Above all, we love our Motherland in all its diversity. Russia Day is a great holiday!" — emphasised Yuri Bashmet.
The programme also featured internationally renowned opera singer, Honoured Artist of Russia Ildar Abdrazakov, along with the State Academic Choir of Russia named after Alexander Alexandrovich Yurlov, conducted by People’s Artist of Russia Gennady Dmitryak.
The concert opened with the performance of the National Anthem of the Russian Federation, during which multimedia screens in the hall displayed footage from various regions of the country that took part in the All-Russian classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia." This was followed by the Overture to the opera "Ruslan and Lyudmila" by Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka and the "All-Night Vigil" by Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff.
A special part of the programme was dedicated to the work of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, in honour of the 185th anniversary of the composer’s birth. The audience heard the Russian Dance for violin and orchestra, and the Warrior’s Arioso from the cantata "Moscow."
The audience responded with particular emotion to the chorus "Arise, People of Russia" from the cantata "Alexander Nevsky" by Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev. This heroic composition, created for the eponymous film by Sergei Eisenstein, served as a call for unity and defence of the Motherland.
Ildar Abdrazakov performed the romance "Oh, if only I could express in sound" by Ludwig Malashkin, as well as the Russian folk songs "Yo, Heave-ho" ("Song of the Volga Boatmen") and "Along the Piterskaya," demonstrating the full richness of the Russian vocal tradition.
The concert concluded with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 — a symbol of Russia’s unity and spiritual strength.
The All-Russian classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia" is held with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. It is organised by ANO "Creative Economy" and ANO "Cantata," with Lira Agency acting as the marathon operator.
Event photobank
Concerts were held simultaneously in 12 regions of the country on Russia Day.
