Gazprom lights up stars of classical music in China

Year 2012 is announced as the Year of Russian Tourism in the People’s Republic of China. Many people of different professions – and not only those engaged into the tourism business, but the representatives of cultural, educational and art institutions – take part in the festive program.

Under the patronage of the Russian Federation Ministry of Culture, Russian musicians and music educators opened the educational project “Stars of Russia for Young Talents of China”. Among famous Russian musicians who gave master classes in the well-known Chinese conservatories in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai were:

• Viktor Yampolsky (piano) – Honored Artist of Russia, Mikhail Tsinman (violin) – famous music educator and Natalia Savinova (cello) – winner of the international contests – all said musicians represent the well-known Moscow Rachmaninov Trio of the Moscow State Philharmonic Society;
• Valery Shkarupa (piano) – professor, rector of the Mussorgsky Urals State Conservatory;
• Konstantin Kurlenya – respectful Russian music expert, rector of the Glinka Novosibirsk State Conservatory;
• Nazar Kozhukhar (viola) – music educator and director;
• Oleg Khudyakov (flute) – academician of the Moscow Conservatory;
• Oleg Tanzov (clarinet) – Honored Artist of Russia, professor of the Moscow Conservatory;
• Marina Andreeva (soprano) – Honored Artist of Russia.

As part of the project, Russian classical music virtuosos gave a number of performances. Following the master classes, students of conservatories put on their exhibition concerts. The final gala performance took place in Beijing and had a great success. Young Chinese musicians, undoubtedly talented, showed the beauty of Russia’s cultural traditions. The Russian and Chinese music experts, masters and a numerous audience enjoyed the performance accompanied by excellent playing and brilliant technique.

The educational project “Stars of Russia for Young Talents of China” will be resumed this autumn. The Russian team of musicians and music educators will carry on their educational mission to inspire the young talents of the Chinese famous conservatories.