Valery Gergiev about Kazan Music School- 1: “There are just a few educational institutions with such a history in the country”

Today, Music Director of the Mariinsky Theater Valery Gergiev visited the Tchaikovsky Children's Music School-1 in Kazan, which opened after the renovation last year. Together with Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of the capital of Tatarstan, he talked with young talents, visited the museum and played the piano, which was once played by the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.

The tour for the guests was conducted by the school principal Yakov Turkenich. He told Valery Gergiev that the renovation allowed to reach a new level of popularization of children's musical art, now the educational institution is striving to become a center for moral and aesthetic education of children, which the Mayor of the city once suggested to the educational institution.

Valery Gergiev got acquainted with the students of the music school, who performed playing the strings and keyboard instruments, as well as choral singing. Youth Symphony Orchestra of Tatarstan also performed for the guests. One of the members of the orchestra is the cellist Daniil Kirillov, a graduate of the music school, who is now preparing to enter the Kazan Music College named after I. Aukhadeyev.

Valery Gergiev and Ilsur Metshin looked around the museum of the school, where archival photographs, sheet music of works and literature are stored. In the interactive space, the Music Director of the Mariinsky Theater was shown 3D installations depicting a young man playing the piano and a virtual genealogy of famous Russian musicians. The central exhibit of the museum is a grand piano, on which the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff played during his visit to Kazan. Valery Gergiev tried out a musical instrument and appreciated its good sound.

Music Director of the Mariinsky Theater left an entry in the museum's book.

“I want to thank you for supporting the music school, it's great that it was renovated, its history is kept here. I remember very well how I studied at a music school. There are just a few educational institutions with such a history in the country. I wish you good luck and success,” Valery Gergiev shared his impressions.

For reference, the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev will give two concerts as part of the 22nd Moscow Easter Festival in the capital of Tatarstan. According to Valery Gergiev, the festival was conceived in Kazan. For about 20 years, it has traditionally started in Moscow, and continues in the capital of Tatarstan.

The music school at 22/26 Gorkogo Street, which is an object of cultural heritage of regional significance, was completely reconstructed for its 90th anniversary. The institution was not only renovated, but also was provided with new musical instruments. In addition, its yard was equipped for chamber concerts. At the festive concert on the opening of the school, students and teachers, together with Ilsur Metshin, were congratulated by People's Artists of Russia Denis Matsuev and Konstantin Khabensky.

Education at the school is conducted according to pre-professional and general educational programs. Every year, about 80 students graduate from the music school, many of whom enter special educational institutions of culture and art.