The Belarusian Orchestra is a unique phenomenon of national musical culture, which was started more than 70 years ago by People’s Artist of the USSR, Professor Iosiph Zhinovich.
The Orchestra of the Belarusian State Academy of Music has a fairly long and rich history. It was led by well-known conductors and teachers in Belarus and abroad, including Evgeny Gladkov, Gennady Ermochenkov, Petr Vandilovsky, Viktor Volotkovich, Aleksandr Vysotsky, Dmitry Kolotilo. Today the Director of the Orchestra is Aleksei Anisovich.
The Orchestra’s repertoire is extremely diverse. A special place is occupied by masterpieces of world musical classics and original arrangements of Belarusian musical folklore. A significant place is given to the works by Belarusian composers Evgeny Glebov, Gennady Ermochenkov, Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, Viktor Voitik, Vladimir Korolchuk, Nikolai Litvin and others.
Musical expression, brilliant technique, filigree nuances, spectacular timbre sound and orchestral arrangements – these are the main elements of success and the performing credo of the group.
The Belarusian Folk Orchestra leads an active concert life, collaborates with the best vocalists and instrumentalists of Belarus, gives concerts in the hall of the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, records musical programs at the Belteleradiocompany, takes part in anniversary and memorial concerts dedicated to the oeuvre of S.Monyushko and I.Zhinovich, performs within the framework of the cycle “Parade of Orchestras”, organized by the Academy of Music. The Orchestra constantly participates in the competition for the best arrangement of Belarusian folk songs, which is organized by the Instrumentation Department. Every year the Orchestra creates new programs and performs them at various concert venues. Currently, priority is given to programs with the works by contemporary Belarusian authors.
The high performing level of the student group, the majority of which are laureates of republican and international competitions, encourages composers to compose music specifically for it. Over the past few years, premieres of works by V.Kuznetsov, S.Yankovich and others have taken place.