Philipp Chizhevsky

On March 15, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory hosted a concert by one of Russia’s most talented conductors, Philipp Chizhevsky, and his ensemble Questa Musica.

The program featured The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. Soloist: Leonid Zhelezny (violin).

The name Philipp Chizhevsky is well known to anyone interested in Moscow’s musical life and following the most compelling and significant productions of contemporary music. In 2019, the conductor received the prestigious Golden Mask Award for The Triumph of Time and Disillusion. He is known for the precision and, at the same time, originality of his musical interpretations. According to critics, Chizhevsky and his ensemble succeed in rethinking Baroque music, consistently revealing the purity of authentic period instruments, the lightness of their sound, and the boldness of their musical interpretation.

Chizhevsky graduated from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, specializing in choral conducting and opera and symphonic conducting. In 2008, together with Maria Grilikhes, he founded the Questa Musica ensemble, with which he has participated in numerous major projects in Russia and abroad. Chizhevsky collaborates with leading Russian and international orchestras and has been a guest conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre since 2014.

Questa Musica is one of Russia’s most outstanding ensembles, bringing together young and talented instrumentalists and singers. Founded in 2008, the ensemble became known for its refined sound, impeccable stylistic approach, and constant search for a contemporary musical voice. Among Questa Musica’s major projects are productions of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (directed by A. Khasanov) and Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale (directed by O. Glushkov), performances of Handel’s Messiah, as well as Mozart’s symphonies and Requiem on period instruments. Together with Mark Pekarsky’s Percussion Ensemble, Questa Musica performed Stravinsky’s Les Noces. In 2017, the ensemble’s soloists participated in the world premiere of Octavia by Boris Yukhananov and Dmitri Kourliandski. Artistic director and conductor: Philipp Chizhevsky.

Leonid Zhelezny is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied under Alexander Vinnitsky, People’s Artist of Russia and professor. He received a special prize at the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition and the Yuri Bashmet Award “For the Beauty of Sound.” He maintains an active concert career in Russia and abroad, participates in programs of the St. Petersburg Music House and subscription series of the Moscow Philharmonic and Conservatory, and collaborates with leading concert halls, festivals, and orchestras.