History of the orchestra

Over a century has passed since the founding of the renowned Andreevsky Orchestra, the State Academic Russian Orchestra named after V.V. Andreev (formerly the Imperial Great Russian Orchestra). On March 20, 2023, the team celebrated its 135th anniversary.

«The people need to be given accessible music, national music, and the balalaika, domra, and gusli are precisely such historical national instruments,» wrote V. V.Andreev.

The main idea of V. V. Andreev was to «combine a tailcoat with a balalaika» and create an orchestra built on the principle of a symphony orchestra, based on Russian folk instruments. Thus, this group was and remains to this day a unique phenomenon not only in domestic but also in the entire world musical culture. Thanks to the activities of V.V. Andreev, Russian folk music began to be performed in the largest halls of Russia and foreign countries, societies of domras and balalaikas lovers began to appear everywhere, and in the music world these instruments received recognition on par with the violin and cello.

Since then, the ensemble has been led by many prominent conductors, including F.A. Nieman, E.P. Grikurov, S.V. Yeltsin, K.I. Eliasberg. Such recognized masters as L. performed as touring performers. Stokowski and A.Naidenov, V.P. Dubrovsky and V.I.Fedoseev.

A talented conductor who had previously worked with many symphony orchestras and opera houses, D. D. Khokhlov carefully preserved the values laid down by V.V.Andreev traditions, developed his ideas and continued to create the team he dreamed of. Today, under the direction of D. D. Khokhlov, the orchestra is capable of performing a program of any complexity: from popular folk melodies to works of world classics. The brass section, innovatively introduced into the ensemble by D. D. Khokhlov, enriched the orchestra’s repertoire and sound, allowing the public to be presented with world musical masterpieces in the special sound of folk instruments. The brass section, innovatively introduced into the ensemble by D. D. Khokhlov, enriched the orchestra’s repertoire and sound, allowing the public to be presented with world musical masterpieces in the special sound of folk instruments.

The State Academic Russian Orchestra named after V.V. Andreev, founded in the 19th century, has lived through several eras in the history of our country and absorbed the best achievements of world musical art, giving them a unique Russian flavor. Today, as a hundred years ago, it is the pride and treasure of Russia.