Mozart — Gala

On May 23, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory hosted a performance by the State Kremlin Orchestra featuring some of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s best-known masterpieces — Symphony No. 40 and the Requiem.

Both works were composed shortly before the death of the great composer and are regarded as among the crowning achievements of his creative legacy. Yet while the G minor Symphony is a masterpiece of tender, deeply lyrical expression, the Requiem undoubtedly stands as Mozart’s most mysterious and dramatic creation.

Taking the conductor’s podium that evening was one of Russia’s most sought-after conductors, Konstantin Chudovsky.

In the Requiem, one of the composer’s most celebrated masterpieces, Mozart conveys the profound drama of the work with extraordinary emotional flexibility. The interplay between scenes of earthly man pleading for divine forgiveness and the wrath of the Almighty, choral passages symbolizing the voice of the faithful and solo parts representing the voice of God, subtle shades of expression and overwhelming sonic power — all combine to create an intensely moving experience for the listener.

The concert was performed by the State Kremlin Orchestra of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, with Konstantin Chudovsky serving as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor.

The orchestra comprises two ensembles: a symphony orchestra and a wind orchestra. Its extensive repertoire includes works of Russian and international classical music, compositions by contemporary composers, as well as popular music written for wind ensembles across a wide range of genres.

Founded in 2019, the orchestra quickly established itself as one of the country’s leading musical ensembles. Its ranks include highly accomplished musicians with experience performing in Russia’s finest symphony orchestras, alongside young virtuosos who are graduates of prestigious music institutions and winners of international competitions.

In 2024, the State Kremlin Orchestra received the BraVo Award in the “Orchestra of the Year” category.