40th "Russian Winter" arts festival opens in Moscow

The 40th jubilee "Russian Winter" arts festival is to be held in Moscow from December 20 to January 14. Its program features more than 30 concerts.

"We hope that the festival will provide an objective picture of Russian performance arts and present an impressive panorama of Russia's philharmonic activities," Alexei Shalashov, the managing director of the Moscow Philharmonia, told a press conference on Friday. He reminded the audience that in the Soviet era the "Russian Winter" festival "held the status of Moscow's leading arts festival and attracted music connoisseurs from all over the world." This year's program features many concerts dedicated to anniversaries of various orchestras and individual musicians. On the 23rd of December, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory hosts a concert "Vladimir Krainev Invites" dedicated to the 60th birthday anniversary of this outstanding pianist and the 40th anniversary of his professional performance activities. Talking to journalists, Vladimir Krainev noted that "not so long ago musicians considered an invitation to take part in the "Russian Winter" arts festival as a great honor, with the festival being the highlight of the entire concert season." The Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra will mark its 60th anniversary with a special concert conducted by the orchestra's artistic director Pavel Kogan.

The festival's program also includes concerts by such renowned musicians as Viktor Tretyakov, Natalya Gutman, Sergei Stadler and other performers.