Origins
The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia (NPR) is the first big symphony orchestra that appeared in Russia during the post-Perestroika times not only supported by the State but also actually initiated by it. Bringing this artistic body into being the RF Government actually defined the new cultural policy of the country recovered after financial and political cataclysmic events and set a task for Russian musicians. The NPR should become the symbol of musical culture of New Russia uniting in its activities great musical traditions of Russia and the world and achievements of best music teams and conductors whose names are mentioned today with piety. The orchestra got headed up by Vladimir Spivakov, outstanding violinist and conductor of world fame. His undisputed authority in the music world guaranteed a successful realization of the assignments set, while his artistic passion and personal charm allowed him to create a unique spirit in the group.
From the press release about the foundation of the NPR
Vladimir Spivakov:
In 1979, I debuted as a conductor in the USA with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. By that time I had completed my five-year conductor training with Israel Borisovich Gusman, been on friendly terms with Lorin Maazel and used his advises, then consulted with Leonard Bernstein who presented me his baton with kind parting words — my lucky charm. The American debut was the beginning of my conductorship.
The reviews after the concert were all most favoring. The Chicago Orchestra gave me rapturous applause and invited me to their Ravinia Festival as the artistic director. Alas, the start of the Afghan War ruined all international contacts. Still, the thought of becoming an orchestra conductor had never left me. Rather soon the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra was born. A symphony orchestra is a new ocean of possibilities, simply boundless. Enormous repertoire. But first of all I imagined a really national symphony orchestra that would become an indelible part of Russian culture. In their time Moscow Virtuosi became obviously a national ensemble much loved everywhere, and the new orchestra NPR should also turn to be genuinely national and popular.
On January 2003, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation issued a decree stating the foundation of National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. Vladimir Spivakov, People's Artist of Russia, was appointed its Artistic Director. After a strict selection of orchestra members, he started repetitions and on September 27 opened the first season of the Moscow International Performing Arts Center leading the orchestra onto the stage.
The NPR had a standing start. Since its first performances, it has found its way to the hearts of various audiences and made connoisseurs speak about.
Vladimir Spivakov dedicated the first program to the memory of conductor Evgeny Svetlanov (to his 75th anniversary), and on that very night he announced that the Great Hall of the MIPAC would be named after him. In a year, on Vladimir Spivakov's initiative, a Svetalnov bust made by sculptor Mikhail Anikushin was installed in the foyer of the Great Hall. The Moscow International Performing Arts Center has become a native house for the NPR both as a stage and as a rehearsal base.
The orchestra's second concert took place on October 11 in Saint Petersburg at the Philharmonia Great Hall under the patronage of Governor Valentina Matvienko. All earnings from the concert were given to the oncology department of Saint-Petersburg Children Hospital No.1, and used for acquisition of medicines and medications for 28 children – patients of the hospital.
At last the orchestra got represented to a wider audience in November-December, 2003, thanks to its participation in the Vladimir Spivakov Invites International Festival in at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The orchestra played works of three centuries under the baton of Vladimir Spivakov and world-famous conductors Krzysztof Penderecki and James Conlon. The opening concert had as the soloist Jessye Norman, prima donna of the millennium.
As time went on, it became evident that the beginning events determined the three evolution vectors of the NPR's development and delineated its main objectives. Firstly, the confirmation of the status and the name of the collective through careful guidance and artistic expansion of the best traditions of Russian music culture prioritizing performances in the home country and presentation of them abroad. Secondly, massive help to those who are in need of support – whether seriously ill children, or stage veterans, or young talents seeking their place in the arts, or simply people in trouble. Thirdly, the highest standards. Vladimir Spivakov has united in the NPR the orchestral elite, supplied them with excellent instruments, provided cooperation with soloists and conductors highly appreciated in the world, formed the repertoire out of superb works of music arts from popular classic masterpieces to new opuses of modern composers first performed by the NPR.