Exhibition: «M. A. Balakirev: to the 180th anniversary of his birth (based on the materials of the Russian Institute for the History of Arts, Manuscript Office)»

In the second floor foyer, Russian Institute for the History of Arts opens an exhibition timed to the 180th anniversary of the birth of M. A. Balakirev (December 21, 1836 / January 2, 1837 – 16/29 May 1910). The exposition is entirely based on documents and materials of the composer’s personal archival fund, which is stored in the Institute’s Manuscript Office. Among the exemplars shown there are Balakirev’s musical autographs addressed to V.V.Yastrebtsov, letters to Baron K.K.Stackelberg and Count S.D.Sheremetev, inscription to S.A.Barmotin on the publication of the symphonic poem “Russ” (St. Petersburg, Bessel, 1893), diplomas for the title of honorary member of musical societies, addresses on the occasion of anniversaries, programs of concerts of the Free Music School. Among the photographs are Balakirev’s portraits, a photo of his cabinet, a group photo of the participants of the musical evening in the composer’s apartment (December 1908) and a photo depicting the funeral of M.A.Balakirev at the Tikhvin Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra (May 1910).

On the photo: Musical evening at M.A.Balakirev. December 1908 year.

Sit: M.Balakirev, L.A.Kashperova, S.M.Lyapunov.

Are standing: Yu.G.Zimmerman, B.L.Zhilinsky, M.P.Karpov, A.Yu.Zimmerman.

Photo by K.K.Bulla.