The National Philharmonic „Serghei Lunchevici”

PHILHARMONIC YESTERDAY

The building that today represents the National Philharmonic has been constructed in 1912 and was given into service in 1913 as a circus. More than two decades later, in 1940 the Philharmonic Institution was created, and the formerly circus base became so far the house of National Philharmonic.

In 1960, under the guidance of the architect V. Voițehovski, the building was reconstructed. As a result of the reconstruction process, not only the interior but also the exterior of the building supported changes – the main entrance was decorated with an arch with six columns, conferring the building grandeur and solemnity.

Numerous artistic masters and collectives were taken to the Philharmonic stages, such as: the Leningrad State Symphony Orchestra conducted by E. Mravinsky, the Romanian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra under the baton of M. Basarab, the Academic Men's Choir of Estonia with the founder G. Ernesaks, the composers – D. Shostakovich, A. Haciaturean, T. Hrennikov, J. Frenkel, M. Fradkin; pianists – E. Gilels, S. Richter, H. Neuhaus, Ginzburg; violinists – D. Oistrah, L. Kogan, J. Sitkovetsky; cellists – M. Rostropovich and D. Shafran; interpreters – I. Arkhipova, E. Obraztsova and E. Nesterenko.

In 2003, the Philharmonic was given the name of Serghei Lunchevici.

Over the 80 years of activity the National Philharmonic „Serghei Lunchevici”, became the most important concert institution from Republic of Moldova, performing a wide activity in different directions: academic music, folklore and jazz. The most representative collectives activity started at the National Philharmonic, among them „Joc”, „Fluieraș”, „Lăutarii” essembles, prominent personalities of musical culture from Republic of Moldova, such as Timofei Gurtovoi, Boris Miliutin, Dumitru Goia, Ghita Strahilevici, Serghei Lunchevici, Vladimir Curbet, Veronica Garștea, Victor Copacinschi, Nicolae Sulac, Tamara Ciobanu, Nicolae Botgros, Zinaida Julea. Legendary names of the national pop music, such as „Noroc” orchestra, „Plai” essemble, singers Ion Suruceanu, Iurie Sadovnic, Nadejda Cepraga, Mihail Dolgan, Maria Codreanu and many others, contributed at the formation of Philharmonic history.

On 24 September 2020, a fire broke out which left the building devastated in 80% proportions and a void in the soul of the artists. Despite this disastrous event, the institution's concert activity continues. The Palace Hall of the Republic is the location that houses our collectives and where the concerts will take place during the reconstruction of the edifice.

 

PHILHARMONIC TODAY

The core and pride of the National Philharmonic are represented by the famous groups known all over the world – the Symphonic Orchestra and the Academic Choral Chapel „Doina”, both founded in 1930. Since 2006 the Folklore Music Orchestra „Folclor” has started the activity in the Philharmonic and from 2017 - Concertino Accordion Band. The soloists of the Philharmonic are – the Duet of pianists Anatolie Lapicus and Iurie Mahovici, Tatiana Costiuc (soprano), Sergiu Muşat (clarinet), Elena Demirdjean (soprano) and Constantin Moscovici (nai).

The National Philharmonic „Serghei Lunchevici” has among its objectives the highest possible level of valorization of the universal musical treasure, the familiarisation of the music audience with the creation of bands and performers of popular music, estrada, jazz, musical-aesthetic education of young generations. To this end, numerous concerts of academic music, jazz, folk and estrada are organized in the Philharmonic halls, with the participation of special guests from the country and abroad. Concerts are also taking place in the institution in the annual editions of the International Music Festival „Mărțișor”, concerts are held during the International Festival „Days of New Age Music” as well.

Within the Philharmonic were established: International Festival of Choral Interpretation of Youth Collectives, International Festival „Pianists Nights”, Festival „Fête de la musique” – organised along with the French Alliance and the French Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, International Piano-Duo Festival „Amber Grape”, the Contest „Autoradio Star”, the Festival-Competiotion „Young people for Moldova”. In the 2008-2009 season the National Philharmonic, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Goethe International Institute, held the International Festival „Beethovenissimo”; during Jubilee season 2010 – 2011 the International Festival Serghei Rachmaninov „Autumn Vocalize” took place; in 2011 – 2012 season National Philharmonic in partnership with Chisinau City Hall, Romanian Cultural Institute „Mihai Eminescu” and Conducting Art International Center, marked the dawning of the first edition of International Contest of Symphonic Conducting; also in 2012 in partnership with Chisinau City Hall, the first edition of International Saxophone Festival was organized; in the 2013-2014 season, the National Philharmonic in collaboration with Studio D'Opera Luxembourg organizes an extraordinary concert, in which R. Wagner's opera „Tristan and Isolda” was presented in concert version; the „Ignacy Paderewski” Piano Contest is organised, the International Academic Canto Competition „Alexei Stârcea” returns after 8 years on the Philharmonic stage with a new edition, same as in 2014 – 2015 season, the televised Festival Contest of Young Folk Music Performers „Orchestra Folclor presents”. Season of 2016-2017 – concert-session of music therapy in collaboration with the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery; the „George Enescu” International Music Festival, held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, extends its geographical area of concerts to Chisinau. Through the joint effort of the Romanian Cultural Institute „Mihai Eminescu”, the National Philharmonic „Serghei Lunchevici” and the Union of Composers and Musicologists of the Republic of Moldova, an exceptional concert at the prestigious Festival, was organized for the first time in the Republic of Moldova, followed by the 2019 edition. The National Philharmonic is the co-organizer of a series of open-air concerts: the „DescOpera” Classical Outdoor Music Festival, held every year from 2016 at the initiative of master Friedrich Pfeiffer; the traditional concert at the Green Theatre in the Valea Morilor park, held at the beginning of the summer in collaboration with the German Embassy in Chisinau.

In 2019, on the Philharmonic's stage famous opera „Carmen” was echoed, spiced with modern rhythms and sounds, in a specific manner of Concertino Accordion Band. In the leading role being mezzo-soprano Ljubica Vranes (Serbia) – a fascinating voice, a sensual and effervescence presence, with Petru Racoviță (Escamillo) and the Academic Coral Chapel „Doina”.

On the occasion of International Music Day, in 2020 was organised the first edition of „Gala of Excellence in Music”. During the event the greatest legends and flagrant personalities in the field of music were appreciated with diplomas and trophies.

The 2020-2021 season has a special connotation for the Philharmonic. In 2020 we record 80 years of artistic activity and we enjoy the fact that we have the longest-running collective in the Republic of Moldova – the Symphonic Orchestra and the Academic Choral Chapel „Doina” which this year celebrates 90 years since its establishment. These beautiful events were marked with a suite of concerts kept by all the Philharmonic artistic collectives.

Thematic musical subscription cycles for students and scholars with participation of Philharmonic collectives and special quests are regularly performed. We mention the subscription „Symphonic Evenings”, organized and moderated by the Honorary President of the Union of Composers and Musicologists of Moldova Ghenadie Ciobanu, the subscription „American Music in Moldova” in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, the subscription of the Duet of pianists Anatolie Lapicus and Iurie Mahovici „Sound Portraits”, symphonic subscriptions for students, high school students and scholars organized by musicologist Irina Martiniuc.

The success of the Philharmonic is also ensured by the management of the institution, made up of prominent personalities from the Republic of Moldova who possess solid professional skills and a rich experience in the field of administration and artistic management.