Vasily Petrenko will become the Artistic Director of the Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra

The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation has approved the appointment of Vasily Petrenko as Artistic Director of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia «Evgeny Svetlanov», effective from September 1st, 2021.
 
"We are very grateful to Vladimir Jurowski for the years he dedicated to the growth of the orchestra. Under his guidance there were realised many outstanding projects, including numerous world premieres. We look forward to a continuity in the leadership of the Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra. Vasily Petrenko is well known to the orchestra, he always approaches his work with perfect combination of responsibility and creativity. I believe, that in this position he will preserve the glorious traditions and high reputation of the Orchestra, as well as enrich with new projects", – stated Olga Lyubimova, the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation .
 
Vasily Petrenko has been collaborating with the Orchestra since the early 2000s, in 2016 he became a Principal Guest Conductor. Since that time, he has successfully performed with the Orchestra more than 50 times in Russia and abroad, presenting many musical pieces composed by Russian and foreign composers, including those works rarely heard in concert halls.
 
"It is a great honour for me to become the Artistic Director of one of the world’s finest orchestras, to continue the proud history it represents, from its foundation by Alexander Gauk, and expansion under Evgeny Svetlanov and many other conductors, and to develop its profile into the future, in Russia and on the international stages. The orchestra boasts a magnificent team of musicians, and a huge artistic potential. I am so much looking forward to our many concerts together in Moscow and beyond in the upcoming years. Classical music, especially that of the Russian tradition, deserves an even wider recognition and will become a very important source of inspiration and optimism in such difficult times. Our art is a vital force in making the world a better place!”