Year of birth of Gergiev. Gergiev Valery Abisalovich

Valery Gergiev is an outstanding conductor of our time. He is the artistic director Mariinsky Theater. He is also the chief conductor of the London Symphony and Munich Philharmonic Orchestras.

Biography

Valery Gergiev was born in Moscow in 1953. The future conductor grew up in North Ossetia. He graduated there School of Music. From 1972 to 1977, Valery Abisalovich studied at the Leningrad Conservatory in the class of Ilya Musin. Also in student years he took part in the prestigious International Competition for Conductors and won second prize. After graduating from the conservatory, V. Gergiev began his career at the Kirov Theater as an assistant to the chief conductor, whose post at that time was held by the famous Yu. Temirkanov. In 1981, he headed the Armenian Symphony Orchestra, which he led for 4 years. In 1988, Yu. Temirkanov joined the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, and Valery Abisalovich took his place at the Kirov Theater.

The following festivals are held under the direction of V. Gergiev: P. I. Tchaikovsky, “Easter”, M. P. Mussorgsky, R. Wagner, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, S. S. Prokofiev.

Back in the 90s of the 20th century, Valery Abisalovich began to often perform abroad. From 1995 to 2008 he was the main guest conductor Philharmonic Orchestra Rotterdam. He performed extensively at the Metropolitan Opera. In 2007, V. Gergiev took over the post of chief conductor of the famous London symphony orchestra.

Valery Abisalovich conducts opera performances, concerts and symphonies.

Since April 2010, V. Gergiev has been the dean of the Faculty of Arts at St. Petersburg State University. Since 2013, the conductor has held the post of chairman of the All-Russian Choral Society.

Valery Gergiev is a member of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art in Russia.

Family

The maestro's father, Abisal Zaurbekovich Gergiev, is a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, battalion commander. Mother - Tamara Timofeevna Lagkueva. Sisters - Larisa and Tamara, the first of whom is People's Artist Russia and Ukraine.

Gergiev Valery Abisalovich and his wife Natalya Dzebisova started a family in 1999. The maestro's wife is also related to beauty - she is a graduate of the Vladikavkaz Art College. The couple have three children. The eldest son, Abisal, is named after father V. Gergiev. The boy was born in 2000. Middle son- Valery - named after the maestro himself. The year of his birth is 2001. And youngest daughter- Tamara. The year of her birth is 2003. Valery Abisalovich also has illegitimate daughter Natalya, who was born in 1985.

In the photo presented in this article, Valery Gergiev with his wife and children.

Mariinsky Theater

Valery Gergiev became head of the Mariinsky Theater in 1996. Today the troupe gives 760 performances a year. The Mariinsky Theater is the most actively touring theater in the world. Now the troupe works on three stages. These are: historical, Concert hall and the Mariinsky-2 complex.

Thanks to V. Gergiev, the theater carefully preserves and restores the traditions of the past, and is also actively exploring new horizons. Valery Abisalovich raised a whole galaxy of singers who reached the world level. He contributed to the expansion and enrichment of the theater's repertoire. V. Gergiev also gives young contemporary composers the opportunity to realize themselves on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater. Another merit of Valery Abisalovich is that today the troupe performs all operas in the original language. The Valery Gergiev Orchestra has enriched its repertoire. Now, in addition to operas and ballets, musicians perform works of other genres.

Munich Orchestra

In 2013, Valery Gergiev was appointed head of the city's Philharmonic Orchestra by decree of the Munich authorities. In 2015, he took up his duties. The initiative to appoint V. Gergiev as chief conductor came from the orchestra’s musicians. A contract was signed with the maestro for five years. CEO collective Paul Müller speaks of Valery Abisalovich as one of the most charismatic conductors of our time. He believes that V. Gergiev's gift for achieving magical sounds from musicians will ensure a wonderful future for the Munich orchestra. P. Müller also hopes that the skill of Valery Abisalovich will influence not only the musicians, but also the audience and the whole musical life the city of Munich as a whole.

The conductor's first concerts together with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, opening the 2015-2016 season, took place on September 17, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24. The musicians performed the following works: Symphony No. 6 by P. I. Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 2 by G. Mahler, Symphony No. 4 by A. Bruckner, Violin Concerto by J. Brahms, music from the ballets “Don Juan” by Richard Strauss and “Romeo and Juliet” by Sergei Prokofiev . The concerts were attended by: soloist of the Mariinsky Theater and violinist from Holland Janine Jansen.

Tour schedule

Valery Gergiev performs with his orchestras all over the world. Concerts with the participation of the conductor in the 2015-2016 season:

• Austria, Linz. With the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra.
• Germany. Frankfurt. With the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Austria. St. Florian. With the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra.
• Germany. Essen. With the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
• With the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra.
• The capital of Great Britain. With the London Symphony Orchestra.
• Russia.
• Austria. Vein. London Symphony Orchestra.
• Great Britain. London. With the laureates of the Pyotr Tchaikovsky International Music Competition.
• Luxembourg. London Symphony Orchestra.
• Great Britain. Birmingham. With the laureates of the Pyotr Tchaikovsky International Music Competition.
• France. Paris. London Symphony Orchestra.
• Germany. Munich. With the city philharmonic orchestra.
• America. NY. London Symphony Orchestra.
• Switzerland. Basel. With the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra.
• America. NY. With the laureates of the Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Competition.
• Capital of France. With the Paris Orchestra.
• Spain. Barcelona. With the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
• America. NY. Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Netherlands. Amsterdam. With the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
• America. Naples. Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Charitable Foundation

Conductor Valery Gergiev is the founder of a charitable foundation. The director is Sergey Vladimirovich Mazanov. The Valery Gergiev Foundation has existed since 2003. Its main task is to promote the Mariinsky Concert Hall, on the stage of which, over the 10 years of its existence, such world celebrities as Y. Bashmet, P. Domingo, R. Fleming, A. Netrebko, D. Matsuev and others have performed. Thanks to the fund, it is planned to build new buildings of the theater building and expand the functionality of existing premises. The funds will be used in the future to equip new artistic rooms, a swimming pool, a spa, conference rooms, a cafe, a music store and rehearsal rooms. Tours of the Mariinsky Theater around the world are also organized with money from the foundation. Also, the V. Gergiev Foundation provides enormous support to young talented musicians and artists, organizes free promotions, promotes obtaining vocational education in the field of art.

Competition named after P. I. Tchaikovsky

Valery Gergiev heads the organizing committee of the Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky International Music Competition. Frequency: once every 4 years. The purpose of the competition is to identify new talents. Creative competitions are held in the following specialties: “ solo singing", "violin", "piano" and "cello". For more than 50 years of existence, the Tchaikovsky Competition opened great amount talented performers. For many, these creative competitions were a successful start, allowing them to gain recognition from professionals, the love of audiences, and make a brilliant career.

Easter festival

It was established by Valery Gergiev in 2002 with the support of the mayor of Moscow Yu. Luzhkov. The festival attracts a huge audience of listeners every time. Here you can hear both well-known classical opuses and rare works contemporary composers. The festival includes charity concerts. He sets himself educational and educational goals. World celebrities take part in the concerts: Yu. Bashmet, A. Netrebko, S. Roldugin, V. Feltsman, D. Matsuev, L. Kavakos, M. Pletnev and others.

Titles and awards

The head of the Mariinsky Theater Valery Gergiev has been awarded a huge number of awards and titles for achievements in art. He is from Russia. He has government awards from Italy, Germany, Japan, France, and the Netherlands. In 1996 he received the title of People's Artist of Russia. Awarded the Royal Prize music academy Sweden. Valery Abisalovich is a laureate of the European Prize for supporting young talents. The President of Russia awarded the maestro the title and also awarded two orders “For Services to the Fatherland.” The conductor holds the titles of President of the Edinburgh International Festival and Honorary Professor of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. And a huge number of titles, orders, medals, prizes and awards.

Artistic director- director, chief conductor of the Mariinsky Theater, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Valery Gergiev was born on May 2, 1953 in Moscow in the family of a battalion commander, veteran of the Great Patriotic War Abisal Gergiev.

He spent his childhood and youth in the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz).

In 1972 he graduated from the College of Arts (now the Vladikavkaz College of Arts named after V.A. Gergiev), in 1977 - the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State Conservatory named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov (class of conducting theorist, Professor Ilya Musin).

As a student at the conservatory, Valery Gergiev became the winner of prestigious music competitions. In 1976, he received the 2nd prize and the title of laureate at the IV All-Union Conducting Competition in Moscow. In 1977 he won 2nd prize at the International Conducting Competition "Herbert von Karajan Foundation" in Berlin.

Since 1977 he has been working in Academic Theater opera and ballet named after S. M. Kirov (now the Mariinsky Theater). He started as a trainee, conductor, in 1988 he was appointed chief conductor, and since 1994 - artistic director of the opera - chief conductor of the theater.

Since 1996 he has been the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater.

He carried out a series of opera productions that were successfully shown abroad.

In 2011, the maestro became honorary president of the Edinburgh International Festival.

In February 2010, the Academic Council of St. Petersburg state university Gergiev was elected dean of the Faculty of Arts.

In February 2012, Valery Gergiev was a member of the All-Russian Choral Society.

Conductor for Culture and Arts under the President of the Russian Federation.

In December 2003, on the initiative of the maestro, the Valery Gergiev Charitable Foundation was created with the aim of organizing charitable activities in the field of art, culture, enlightenment and education.

The maestro's work has been awarded numerous awards. Valery Gergiev - People's Artist of the Russian Federation (1996), laureate State Prize Russian Federation (1993, 1999), Russian Presidential Prize in the field of literature and art (2001). He awarded with orders Friendship (2000), "For Services to the Fatherland" III degree (2003), "For Services to the Fatherland" IV degree (2008).

Valery Gergiev was also awarded a number of government awards from Germany - the First Class Cross of Merit (2001), Italy - the Order of Grand Ufficiale al Merito (2001), France - the Order of Arts and Letters (2003) and the Order of the Legion of Honor (2007), Japan - Order of the Rising Sun (2006), etc. In March 2003, he was awarded the honorary title of UNESCO Artist for Peace. In 2005, the maestro was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Gergiev was awarded numerous prizes. The maestro was repeatedly awarded the highest theater award as the best conductor of the year. Russian Prize"Golden Mask" (1996-2000) and the "Golden Sofit" award (1997, 1998, 2000). In 1998, for outstanding contributions to musical culture Philips Electronics presented him with a special award, which Gergiev donated to the development of the Mariinsky Theater Academy of Young Singers. He is a laureate of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Polar Music Prize (1998), the European Glashütte Original Music Festival Prize (2010), etc.

The maestro was repeatedly named “Conductor of the Year”: in 1994 - by the jury international organization International Classical Music Awards, in 2009 - the Royal Philharmonic Society of Great Britain. In 2010, he entered the TOP 100 of the planet in the category “Cultural and artistic workers.” In 2011, the French magazine "Classics" named Gergiev "Artist of the Year".

In April 2012, the maestro was awarded the title of honorary doctor of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, and in November 2012 - the title of honorary professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov.

He is also an honorary doctor of the St. Petersburg State University (2001) and an honorary professor at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory (2010).

In 1999, Valery Gergiev married Natalya Dzebisova, a graduate of the Vladikavkaz College of Arts. The couple have three children - sons Abisal (2000) and Valery (2001), daughter Tamara (2003).

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

Valery Gergiev conducts. Audio provided by Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Firma Melodiya"

1. Symphony Orchestra of the Leningrad Academy of Theatre, Opera and Ballet. CM. Kirova performs a waltz from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Sleeping Beauty". Recorded in 1988.

2. Symphony Orchestra of the Leningrad Academy of Theatre, Opera and Ballet. CM. Kirova performs the suite "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker". Recorded in 1988.

3. Symphony Orchestra of the Leningrad Academy of Theatre, Opera and Ballet. CM. Kirova performs the suite "Waltz of the Flowers" from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker". Recorded in 1988.

Artistic director-director, chief conductor of the Mariinsky Theater Valery Abisalovich Gergiev was born on May 2, 1953 in Moscow in the family of a battalion commander, Great Patriotic War veteran Abisal Gergiev.

He spent his childhood and youth in the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz).

In 1972 he graduated from the College of Arts (now the Vladikavkaz College of Arts named after V.A. Gergiev), in 1977 - the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State Conservatory named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov (class of conducting theorist, Professor Ilya Musin).

As a student at the conservatory, Valery Gergiev became the winner of prestigious music competitions. In 1976, he received 2nd prize and the title of laureate at the All-Union Conducting Competition in Moscow. In 1977 he won 2nd prize at the International Conducting Competition "Herbert von Karajan Foundation" in Berlin.

After this, Gergiev was invited to the Opera and Ballet Theater named after S.M. Kirov (now the Mariinsky Theatre) to the position of assistant chief conductor. His conducting debut at the theater on January 12, 1978 was Sergei Prokofiev's opera War and Peace.

The maestro made his debut abroad in the 1990s: in 1991 - in the Bavarian State Opera("Boris Godunov" by Modest Mussorgsky), in 1993 - at Covent Garden ("Eugene Onegin" by Tchaikovsky), in 1994 - at the Metropolitan Opera ("Othello" by Giuseppe Verdi with Placido Domingo in the title role). Gergiev continues to collaborate with the world's leading opera houses. He works with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Berlin, Paris, Vienna, New York, Los Angeles, the Symphony Orchestras of Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, San Francisco, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Amsterdam), and many other orchestras.

In 1995-2008, Valery Gergiev served as chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (currently honorary conductor), and in 2007-2015 - of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Since the 2015/2016 season, the maestro has been chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Valery Gergiev is the founder and director of prestigious international festivals, including Stars of the White Nights (since 1993), Moscow Easter Festival (since 2002), Gergiev Festival in Rotterdam, Mikkeli Festival, 360 Degrees in Munich. Since 2015, the Mariinsky Theater has hosted the annual festival "Mariinsky NEXT", in which children's and youth orchestras of St. Petersburg participate.

He is co-chairman of the organizing committee of the International Competition named after P.I. Tchaikovsky.

In order to organize charitable activities in the field of art, culture, enlightenment and education, the Valery Gergiev Charitable Foundation was created in 2003.

The maestro's work has been awarded numerous awards. Valery Gergiev - People's Artist of the Russian Federation (), laureate of the State Prizes of the Russian Federation in the field of literature and art (for,

Art Valeria Gergieva in demand all over the world. Maestro – the brightest representative St. Petersburg conducting school, student of the legendary professor Ilya Musin. While still a student at the Leningrad Conservatory, Gergiev won the Herbert von Karajan competition in Berlin and the All-Union Conducting Competition in Moscow, after which he was invited to the Kirov (now Mariinsky) Theater as assistant chief conductor. His theater debut was Prokofiev's War and Peace (1978). In 1988, Gergiev was elected musical director of the Mariinsky Theater, and in 1996 he became its artistic director-director, taking over the leadership of the orchestra, opera and ballet troupe.

With the arrival of Valery Gergiev at the theater, large thematic festivals dedicated to the anniversaries of composers became a tradition. In 1989, a festival was held dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Mussorgsky, in 1990 - the 150th anniversary of Tchaikovsky, in 1991 - the 100th anniversary of Prokofiev, in 1994 - the 150th anniversary of Rimsky-Korsakov. The festival programs included not only well-known scores, but also works that were rarely performed or had never been performed before. The tradition of anniversary festivals continues in the 21st century with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Shostakovich in 2006, the 175th anniversary of Tchaikovsky in 2015, and the 125th anniversary of Prokofiev in 2016.

Thanks to the efforts of maestro Gergiev, Wagner's operas returned to the stage of the Mariinsky Theater. In 1997, “Parsifal” was performed, which had not been seen on the Russian stage for more than 80 years, “Lohengrin” was revived in 1999, and by 2003 the grandiose opera tetralogy “The Ring of the Nibelung” was staged in its entirety. This was the first complete performance of “The Ring” on Russian stage and the first in Russia - in the original language. The tetralogy was a success on tour at the Mariinsky Theater in Moscow, as well as abroad - in the USA, South Korea, Japan, Great Britain and Spain. The theater’s repertoire includes productions of “Tristan and Isolde” (2005) and “The Flying Dutchman” (1998, 2008). The Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Gergiev has reached a new level, mastering not only new opera and ballet scores, but also an extensive symphonic repertoire - all the symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Sibelius, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, works by Berlioz, Bruckner, Rimsky Korsakov, R. Strauss, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Messiaen, Dutilleux, Ustvolskaya, Shchedrin, Kancheli and many other composers.

Under the leadership of Valery Gergiev, the Mariinsky Theater has turned into a large-scale theater and concert complex that has no analogues in the world. The Concert Hall was opened in 2006, and the second stage of the theater (Mariinsky-2) was opened in 2013. On January 1, 2016, the Mariinsky Theater opened a branch in Vladivostok - the Primorskaya Stage, and from April 2017 - in Vladikavkaz: the National state theater opera and ballet of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania and the North Ossetian State Academic Philharmonic. Among Gergiev’s projects implemented at the Mariinsky Theater are the organization of media broadcasting, online broadcasts of concerts, and the creation of a recording studio. In 2009, the Mariinsky label began its work, which has now released more than 30 discs that have received critical and public recognition around the world: symphonies and piano concertos by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, operas by Wagner, Massenet, Donizetti and whole line other works. Recordings of Prokofiev's ballets Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella and the opera The Gambler have been released on DVD.

Valery Gergiev's international activities are no less intense and active. Having made his debut in 1992 at the Bavarian State Opera (Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky), in 1993 at Covent Garden (Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky), in 1994 at the Metropolitan Opera (Othello by Verdi with Placido Domingo in the title role) , the maestro successfully continues to collaborate with leading

opera houses and festivals around the world. He works with the World Peace Orchestra (which he has directed since 1997 after the death of the orchestra's founder Georg Solti), with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Berlin, Paris, Vienna, New York, Los Angeles, the Symphony Orchestras of Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, San Francisco, the Royal the Concertgebouw Orchestra (Amsterdam), as well as many other groups. From 1995 to 2008, Valery Gergiev served as chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (today he is the orchestra's honorary conductor), and from 2007 to 2015, of the London Symphony Orchestra. Since the fall of 2015, the maestro has led the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Valery Gergiev is the founder and director of prestigious international festivals, including Stars of the White Nights (since 1993), Moscow Easter Festival (since 2002), Gergiev Festival in Rotterdam, Mikkeli Festival, 360 Degrees in Munich. Since 2011 he has headed the organizing committee international competition named after Tchaikovsky. Gergiev pays great attention to working with young musicians. On his initiative, the All-Russian Choral Society was revived, on the basis of which the Children's choir Russia, who performed at Mariinsky-2, Bolshoi Theater and at the closing of the XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. Since 2013, the maestro has led the US National Youth Orchestra and regularly performs with the youth orchestras of the Schleswig-Holstein Festival, the Verbier Festival and the Pacific music festival in Sapporo. Since 2015, the Mariinsky Theater has hosted the annual Mariinsky NEXT festival, in which children's and youth orchestras of St. Petersburg participate.

Musical and social activity Valeria Gergieva was awarded three State Prizes Russian Federation(1993, 1998, 2015), the titles of People's Artist of the Russian Federation (1996) and Hero of Labor (2013), the Order of Alexander Nevsky (2016), high state awards Armenia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Japan.

At the age of 35, Valery Gergiev was elected artistic director of the opera troupe, and since 1996 he has been artistic director-director of the Mariinsky Theater. Today Gergiev is considered one of the world's leading conductors. The best orchestras and opera groups would like to collaborate with him. However, his main desire remains unchanged - to turn the Mariinsky Theater troupe into the best troupe in the world and allow the country to be proud of St. Petersburg and the Mariinsky Theater (the development path of which he sees in unity). The artistic achievements of Maestro Gergiev brought him numerous titles and awards. He is a People's Artist of Russia (1996), laureate of the State Prize of Russia for 1994 and 1999, from 1996 to 2000, and in 2002 he was awarded the country's highest theater prize as the best conductor of the year." Golden mask", Gergiev received the Dmitri Shostakovich Prize and the Golden Sofit Prize for the best conducting work in 1997, 1998 and 2000. For outstanding performance classical music Valery Gergiev was awarded the title "Best Conductor of the Year" (Musical America - USA, Independent, Evening Standard - UK). In 1998, for his outstanding contribution to musical culture, Philips presented him with a special prize, which he donated to the development of the Mariinsky Theater Academy of Young Singers. In 2000, Valery Gergiev was elected a full member of the International Academy of Creativity. In the same year he was awarded highest awards Russia and the Republic of Armenia - the Order of Friendship and the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots. In 2001, the maestro was awarded the Cross of 1st class "For Merit" Federal Republic Germany for active assistance in the field of German-Russian cultural exchange and personal contribution to the popularization of music German composers. Gergiev was also awarded Italy's highest government award, the Order of Honorary Commander (Ufficiale al Merito). This award is given to outstanding citizens of the country who have made a special contribution to the well-being of the fatherland in the fields of science, economics and culture. Such an honor is granted to foreigners in exceptional cases. On January 31, 2002, Vladimir Putin presented Valery Gergiev with the Russian Presidential Prize in the field of literature and art.

At the Mariinsky Theater, Gergiev trained a galaxy of world-class singers, but his main artistic achievement what remains is the expansion and updating of the repertoire, especially works of Russian classics, which sets the maestro apart from the conductors of the late 20th century. He is devoted to Prokofiev, whom he believes is being forgotten. During the Stars of the White Nights festival in 1999, Gergiev performed new production opera "Semyon Kotko", and in 2000, under his direction, the opera "War and Peace" was performed, which became one of the brilliant premieres of the 1999-2000 season.

Operas by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev and Shostakovich, as well as ballets by Stravinsky, have taken a strong place in the theater's repertoire. Much attention In his repertoire policy, Gergiev also pays attention to the works of Western composers. One of the main events in this direction was the opera "Parsifal" (1997), staged in Russia for the first time in the last 80 years. In 2000, work began on Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. In May 2000, the premiere of the first part of the cycle, the opera Das Rheingold, took place, and in 2001, The Valkyries. The entire tetralogy will be performed for the first time by a Russian troupe at German and in the sequence of parts provided by the composer. In the 1998-1999 season, Gergiev and his theater celebrated several anniversaries: the 20th anniversary of the maestro’s arrival at the Mariinsky Theater, the 10th anniversary in his post music director, 10 years of exclusive collaboration with Philips, which brought recordings of more than 30 discs. The discography reflects two projects from the early 90s that still exert their influence today. These are two festivals dedicated to Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev, figures of the first magnitude in musical Olympus St. Petersburg. To Rimsky-Korsakov's two operas, "The Pskovite" and "Sadko", were added "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh", "Kashchei the Immortal" and "The Tsar's Bride", as well as Prokofiev's "The Gambler" (in addition to the already released "Betrothal in a Monastery" ", " Fire angel" and "War and Peace"). Other operas, including "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Prince Igor", "Khovanshchina", both versions of "Boris Godunov", " Queen of Spades", "Mazepa" and "Iolanthe", are among the most significant releases in the Philips - Mariinsky series. No less important was the recording of the original St. Petersburg version of Verdi's opera "Force of Destiny", "The Sleeping Beauty" and "Romeo and Juliet" were recorded at an early stage of this collaboration.In 1998, The Nutcracker and The Firebird, as well as Scriabin's Prometheus, were published.

Article in The New Yorker defines the aspirations and results of the maestro’s fruitful work as follows: “Gergiev again came into contact with something deeper. Other conductors of his generation made their names through conscious, individual interpretations. Gergiev, on the other hand, generates a spontaneous flow of emotions, a general celebration of sound. He is able to express the idea of ​​the emotional matter of music and give it life.”

http://www.gergiev.ru/

Valery Gergiev. Anniversary in the homeland of our ancestors

One of the most famous conductors planet, to the head of the Mariinsky Theater Valery Gergiev May 2, 50! He celebrates the anniversary not in Moscow - where he was born, and not in St. Petersburg - where he permanently lives, but in North Ossetia - the homeland of his ancestors.

Valery Gergiev is happy. He put on a felt Panama hat and acted like a child in front of the camera. “I’m going back to the years when I lived here,” says the hero of the day, “we went hiking in the local gorges as boys, and came with our parents on weekends. And not far from here, my uncle built a pioneer camp. I even participated in the construction of this pioneer camp I was 16 years old, I remember it very well: 1969, we built a football stadium there, leveled the field, installed goals, for children it was the ultimate dream."

One of the most famous conductors in the world refused to celebrate his 50th birthday in Moscow - where he was born, in Rotr Dame - where he works, in New York - where he opens every season at the Metropolitan Opera, and even in St. Petersburg - where he lives and directs the Mariinsky Theater. Refused in favor of Vladikavkaz. Valery Gergiev explains this choice this way: “I didn’t just come here to celebrate an anniversary, drink, talk, drink... I want to return to the roots that gave me strength in life. Because if I now have strength and energy, then I gained it Here".

“I want to go to the homeland of my ancestors,” said the maestro, gathered his friends and went to Ossetia on a Yak-42 plane. At the Vladikavkaz airport, Gergiev was met by the President of the Republic Dzasokhov, amateur groups and national custom- beer with Ossetian flatbread. An escort of several cars goes straight from the airport to the opening memorial plaque on the house where Gergiev’s uncle Boris Lakuti lived. It was he who built pioneer camps and headed electronic enterprises in Ossetia. "Uncle Borya had the most impact on me big influence, - says Valery Abisalovich, - and mother. If it weren't for her persistence, I would have been music school they didn’t want to accept it.” “They gave him solid two marks: memory - two, speech - two, hearing - two. They didn't accept it. But I insisted and made sure that Valera was accepted as a candidate. Valera was fond of wrestling, recalls Tamara Timofeevna, and played tennis and football well." Valery Gergiev loved to run to the now old Dynamo stadium, kick the ball and cheer for his football idols.

Gergiev still manages to find time for his favorite game, although he sleeps no more than four hours a day. Every day is a concert or rehearsal. “Valery understands all the intricacies of football as well as music. I remember that we were in Amsterdam at the final of the European Championship, how sick he was! Russia was not among the finalists then, and together with me he supported the French,” says the president of the Olympic club -Marcel" Robert Louis-Dryfus.

Gergiev is not even called a man-orchestra, but a conductor-holding. He added another festival to his “White Nights” - “Moscow Easter”. In October he intends to open “Russian Seasons” in Japan. And I started my current birthday by signing an agreement on construction in Ossetia cultural center named after Gergiev. To questions about personal matters, he answers: “I’m probably a bad father to my sons, but I’m also not the worst conductor and director of the theater. When you need a family, and you need a festival, and to be on time here and there, then difficulties arise. But this “I already have my difficulties, and I will solve them in the next 50 years.”

Gulya Baltaeva (Vesti.Ru)

“Gergiev carries on his shoulders disproportionately most modern musical world. Under his leadership, the Mariinsky Theater became one of the most revered (and recorded) opera companies in the world.”

The New Yorker (April 1998)

“Gergiev, as a star conductor, which he undoubtedly is, belongs to the category of sorcerers of sound, who have the ability to attract the audience to him so that they lose the ground beneath them.”

Boblinger Bote (July 2000)

“The merit of Gergiev is not only that he opened the world of Russian music to the West, but also that today the Mariinsky troupe is a striking embodiment of the principles of the ensemble.”

The maestro's phenomenal efficiency and love for his profession allowed Valery Gergiev to expand the repertoire, both opera and ballet, and bring the Mariinsky Theater to the ranks of the best opera houses in the world. In 1993, the maestro became People's Artist Russia, in 1993 and 1996 he was awarded the title “Musician of the Year”, “Conductor of the Year” in 1997. In 1996, 1997 Valery Gergiev was awarded the All-Russian theater award"Golden Mask", as well as the Dmitry Shostakovich Prize and the St. Petersburg Golden Sofit Prize for the best conducting work in Wagner's opera "Persifal".

One of latest works theater - Alexander Borodin's opera "Prince Igor". A new version This opera, staged at the Mariinsky Theater in March 1998, caused heated debate among critics and opera lovers.

“Opera implies a lot of elements that must converge in some kind of harmonious unity,” says Valery Gergiev. “Harmonious is the exact word for an opera performance. The sound of the orchestra, choir, visuals, some special magnetic atmosphere makes the audience experience strong feelings "Live contact is what artists and our listeners strive for. And yet, it is not so often that we leave the theater absolutely satisfied."

When you watch Valery Gergiev during rehearsal work, you remember the words of the famous drama director Georgiy Tovstonogov: "Any artistic activity V creative team presupposes a deliberate dictatorship."

“I think that our dictatorship is the dictatorship of music,” says Valery Gergiev, “the dictatorship of “His Majesty the Theater.” The dictatorship of music turns out, but we are not yet very good with the second definition. We have not yet managed to create such a situation that the performances of the Mariinsky Theater came out in the synthesis of all elements of directing, painting, scenography... Our super task is to find directors and artists who could create perfect opera performances at the creative level of the late 20th century.”

“Our theater today must end the period of such heroic, stormy seasons, when an incredible number of tasks and incredible enthusiasm are spent on premieres, on tours around the world,” says Valery Gergiev. “I would like to work a little more calmly and purposefully on several titles opera masterpieces. This is necessary to achieve true harmony in opera. And there are still incredibly many offers."