The TV BRICS International Symphony Orchestra, a new ensemble established to promote cultural exchange among the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), held its premiere concert in Moscow on Friday. The event, coinciding with Russia’s chairmanship of the BRICS group, was a resounding success, drawing high praise from dignitaries and music lovers alike.
A Night of Musical Fusion
The orchestra’s repertoire showcased a captivating blend of classical masterpieces and contemporary works inspired by the diverse musical traditions of the BRICS countries. The evening opened with a specially commissioned overture by Kabardino-Balkar Republic People’s Artist Murat Kabardokov, setting the stage for a journey through musical landscapes.
Soloists Olga Pudova (Mariinsky Theatre) and Dmitry Yankovsky (Helikon Opera) lent their vocal talents to the performance, captivating the audience with their renditions of operatic classics like Rossini’s “The Thieving Magpie” and Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”
The orchestra also presented original compositions based on the national music of Brazil, India, and China, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of these nations. Festive Chinese melodies, Ravi Shankar’s “Indian Guests,” and South African rock artist Arno Carstens’s compositions all found their place on the program, alongside a semi-pop symphonic fantasy titled “Brazil” by Konstantin Dubenko.
Building Bridges Through Music
The concert’s significance extended beyond its artistic merit. As Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation, noted in his opening remarks, the TV BRICS orchestra represents a vital step towards strengthening dialogue and understanding between the BRICS countries.
“The emergence of the multinational TV BRICS musical group will have a significant impact on the development and strengthening of dialogue between the BRICS countries,” Shvydkoy stated.
Maestro Mikhail Golikov, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the TV BRICS orchestra, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ensemble’s role in fostering a “new agenda for the future.”
“We have not just launched today a new platform for cultural exchange… We launched into the world the idea of a new agenda for the future. To make the future today what the next generation will see it in 50 years,” Golikov declared.
He further expressed the orchestra’s ambition to attract the best musicians from around the world, transforming the TV BRICS ensemble into a truly global musical force.
A Shared Passion for Music
The concert’s success was a testament to the unifying power of music. As Irina Gerasimova, CEO and Artistic Director of the “Orpheus” Russian State Musical TV and Radio Centre, aptly stated, “Music is the best way to communicate because it does not require translation.”
This sentiment was shared by Almir Ribeiro Americo, head of the Russian office of the Brazilian Export Development Agency (APEX-Brasil).
“I have no words to express my admiration for the level of professionalism of the orchestra. Congratulations to TV BRICS for such an achievement. Brazil admires Russian culture. We have always loved it and we need to get to know it even better. Culture is the best way to bring our peoples closer together,” Americo declared.
The Future of the TV BRICS Orchestra
The TV BRICS International Symphony Orchestra’s journey has just begun. With plans for international tours, collaborations with composers’ unions, and joint projects with national folklore schools across the BRICS nations, the ensemble is poised to play a significant role in promoting cultural understanding and appreciation on a global scale.
The orchestra’s debut concert has undoubtedly set the stage for an exciting future, filled with harmonious melodies and cultural bridges built through the universal language of music.
