The Russian school of conducting is rightly considered to be one of the strongest in the world. Major representatives of this school from the past include Mravinsky, Golovanov, Svetlanov, Napravnik, Rachmaninov, Malko, Kondrashin – they created a dazzling path in musical history.

The contemporary conductors who cherish and continue the great tradition of these masters play an equally important role in international cultural life of today around the globe, directing memorable performances and milestone opera productions. Among these are the familiar names of Valery Gergiev, Temirkanov, Roshdestvensky, Jansens, Neeme Jarvi, Alexander Anissimov and many others. Maestro Anissimov is a representative of the Moscow Russian School no less than of the St Petersburg school of conducting. He offers the participants in the master classes a unique opportunity to discover secrets of this great tradition as expressed through some of its best representatives.

The one-week programme of master classes offers each one of eight participant conductors not less than three hours rehearsal with the National Symphony Orchestra of Belarus. In addition, the eight participants will have a further twenty-one hours of observation time, while their colleagues each work for three hours with the orchestra.

Preparation during Days 2 and 5 will take place with two pianos. The pianists will be skilled and experienced, so that participants have every opportunity to develop technique rapidly to be applied in the following days from the podium. Each participant will have one hour 30 minutes with piano, preparing the repertoire for the following two days. All the participants will be videotaped when on the podium. The video system in use will be PAL.

Observers participate in all rehearsals, discussion and analysis sessions but do not conduct. During the morning, progress may also be reviewed on video. Morning discussion and analysis sessions will be led by Evgeniy Stepantzov, assistant to the maestro, who will in addition be available to the participants at all times to help and answer questions and who will look after day to day administration throughout the week.

Who should apply?

• Orchestral conductors working in varied situations wanting to expand the breadth of their technique and repertoire
• University conducting instructors
• Youth orchestra and community orchestra conductors
• Masters and doctoral level students of conducting
• Student conductors ready for performance experience
• Amateur music lovers may apply as observers in order to experience the transformation of a piece from score through rehearsal to performance

What may you expect?

• To find highly individual and constructive guidance from the maestro
• To have an exceptional opportunity for rehearsal hours with an exceptional orchestra
• To enhance and strengthen your rehearsal techniques
• To learn how to anticipate and prepare for problems
• To live and work with an international group of fellow musicians fostering professional growth and insights from different perspectives