137 years of an orchestra that speaks to the soul

On March 20, the State Academic Russian Orchestra named after V.V. Andreev turns 137. 137 years that have turned into millions of sounding hearts. The orchestra’s history includes eras, destinies, and dreams that came true on stage.

Once upon a time, Vasily Andreev picked up a balalaika for the first time and heard in it the voice of Russia - piercing, gentle, full of longing and joy. He didn’t just create an orchestra – he gave Russian instruments immortality. And since then this voice has been resounding, gathering in the halls those who hear it with their hearts.

«Over the years, even centuries, from the 19th to the 21st, the orchestra has gone from a tiny circle of balalaika lovers to a large group, including up to 70–80 top-class musicians. However, the genre itself, created by V.V. Andreev is still very young and is just making his way in the world of musical art. It is the Russian sound that most distinguishes our orchestra from the usual symphony orchestra. Wherever we perform, including abroad, from the first sounds the audience understands that this is the voice of Russia. And this is a matter of our special pride! Our orchestra has many successes and achievements, but it is not we who should judge them, but the listeners and musicologists. There are always more unfulfilled plans than realized ones. This is also a further increase in professional and artistic level - after all, there is no limit to perfection! And new works by new authors, and new tours across Russia and across different countries and continents, where they will be glad to hear us. And this means new friends, new impressions, new music... At 137, the orchestra is young, full of energy and focused on the future» said the artistic director and chief conductor of the Andreevsky Orchestra, People’s Artist of Russia Dmitry Dmitrievich Khokhlov.

For the 137th anniversary, the team presents a film about history and today on the VK platform Video: https://vk.com/video-123623866_456239625

This film is a gift to the listeners. To those who come to concerts, who freeze, listening to the birth of sound, who feel every note with the orchestra.

State Academic Russian Orchestra named after V.V. Andreev 

State Academic Russian Orchestra named after V.V. Andreev is the first professional group in world history in which national instruments were united according to the principle of a symphony orchestra. The idea belongs to its founder, the outstanding Russian musician, composer and public figure Vasily Vasilyevich Andreev. Since its first concert performance on March 20, 1888, the Andreevsky Orchestra has been the pride and glory of Russian art and the pearl of world musical culture.