A new chamber hall was opened at the Moscow International House of Music

The Moscow International House of Music (MMDM) has inaugurated a new hall. The public could appreciate the unique acoustics of the new space: works by Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Boccherini were performed that evening by Bolshoi Theatre soloist Anna Aglatova and the Moscow Virtuosi Orchestra under the direction of maestro Vladimir Spivakov.

– Everything here is done with the latest technology and ready for the best musicians and soloists from all over the world to perform – Vladimir Spivakov talks about the possibilities of the new hall, about the fact that finally in the House of Music there is a full-fledged rehearsal space, where there is enough space and, most importantly, air to accommodate an orchestra and choir, each of which has 100 people.

Technical innovations, including a digital active sound control system, a transformable stage and wonderful acoustics have already been appreciated not only by the Moscow Virtuosi and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, but also by Anna Netrebko, Hibla Gerzmava, Joshua Bell and many other outstanding musicians who have rehearsed here.

According to Vladimir Spivakov, this is not just a rehearsal room, a recording studio or a venue for concerts and online broadcasts. It is an art space that can compete even with contemporary art museums. The maestro was responsible for the artistic concept himself.

– «I wanted to give a gift to the House of Music and the audience who come here for concerts. I selected all the paintings and sculptures to my liking, but it seems that we have managed to create an art territory where we can breathe today», explains Spivakov, who donated paintings and sculptures from his personal collection to the House of Music.

Among the canvases are works by Evgeny Rastorguyev, whose paintings are on display in the world’s leading museums and whose centenary we will celebrate this year. In addition, paintings by Yuri Vasilyev, Boris Beach, Oksana Mas, Gayane Khachaturyan and Igor Novikov, sculptures by Sergei Sergeyev. Inside the hall are paintings by Alexei Mochalov, Alexander Stotsky, Olga Kroitor and Alexander Vorokhob.

Spivakov’s special pride is the recreated artistic Alfred Schnittke. The maestro notes that there is not a single random thing here – antique furniture from the early twentieth century, the composer’s personal belongings and his famous photograph by Viktor Brell, as well as paintings by Dmitry Plavinsky and Vladimir Arefiev.

Spivakov has a personal story connected with each exhibit, and he is ready to tell it with passion and self-confidence, infecting others with love for contemporary art. He once chose music and the violin, but painting still does not let him go. The main «virtuoso of Moscow» is convinced that real creativity has no limits. «One art nourishes another, and something great is born out of this connection. Art is what helps us to be human, what creates civilisations», he said. It is all the more important that such a luxurious object has appeared on the map of the capital city. The Concert Hall, whose life will be full of performances by famous musicians and artists, theatre performances and creative meetings. Will you meet me at Spivakov’s?

Text: Natalia Lebedeva