Date :
Friday, November 4, 2022
St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk is one of the most ancient Christian shrines in Belarus. Built in the XI century, it became the fourth St. Sophia Cathedral in the world, served as a fortress and was considered the embodiment of powerful statehood. In the XVIII century, the cathedral was completely destroyed and lay in ruins until 1738. But already by 1750, a basilica with two towers in the Vilnian Baroque style was restored on the remaining foundations of the walls according to the project of the famous architect Johann Glaubitz.
In 1839 the cathedral was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church after the union termination. In 1924, the church was closed and a local history museum was opened within its walls.
Currently, St. Sophia Cathedral is part of the Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum. The museum was opened to the public in 1987. The exhibits of the museum tell about the history of the architecture of the most ancient stone building on the territory of modern Belarus, about numerous reconstructions, repairs, and the latest restoration of the monument. In St. Sophia Cathedral, you can see fragments of masonry from the XI century, an almost completely preserved foundation, as well as frescoes from the late XI century.
The concert hall in St. Sophia Cathedral, opened in 1983, has a seating capacity of 304 seats. Traditionally, organ concerts are held here on Sundays performed by the soloist of the concert hall, laureate of international competitions, and the Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Ksenia Pogorelaya.
And festivals of the old and modern chamber and organ music are held annually in the concert hall of the cathedral of delightful beauty and perfect acoustics. The most famous of them is the Zvany Safii festival.
The XXVII International Festival of Organ Music “Zvany Safii” - one of the largest events of musical art in Belarus - will be held from October 23 to November 27. This will be the 40th anniversary concert season in St. Sophia Cathedral.
Every autumn, Polotsk turns into the major attraction for live music connoisseurs from different parts of Belarus during the festival. And numerous guests and residents of Polotsk enjoy the organ music performed by eminent musicians from different countries.
The program of the XXVII International Festival of Organ Music “Zvany Safii” is fascinating and intriguing at the same time. See for yourself!
The concert season is opened on October 23 by the Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Ksenia Pogorelaya and the owner of the coloratura soprano, laureate of international competitions and festivals, Russian singer Lyudmila Tratsevskaya. The concert program will include works by G. Fauré, C. Saint-Saëns, G. Bizet, L. Delibes, L. Vierne, and P. Fletcher.
On October 30, the organist of St. Sophia Cathedral Ksenia Pogorelaya and the EUROPE-CENTER chamber orchestra conducted by Rail Sadykov will delight their admirers with a memorable program. And also, along with the masterpieces of early music, the Polotsk premiere of the work by the Belarusian composer Alexander Litvinovsky – Suite for String Orchestra “Le Grand Cahier” will be performed. The concert program will include works by J. Ch. Bach, and A. Litvinovsky.
The Russian duo of organ and voice – Anastasia Bykova, whose repertoire includes works by J.S. Bach and his predecessors, the music of Baroque, Romantic composers, composers of the XX century, works by Russian authors, chamber ensemble and vocal and organ music, and Svetlana Belyakova, mesmerizing with her vocals – will perform on November 6. The programme includes works by J. S. Bach, G. F. Händel, A. Scarlatti, W. A. Mozart, L. Vierne, and T. Albinoni.
On November 13, the “Romantic France” program will be presented by leading Belarusian soloists, laureates of international competitions, organist Ekaterina Nikolaeva and flutist Tatyana Kormazinova. The programme includes works by L. Vierne, F. Poulenc, C. Franck, G. Fauré, and Ch.-M. Widor.
On November 20, admirers of organ music will enjoy the Great Organ Toccatas program performed by Russian organist, harpsichordist, and composer Fyodor Stroganov. The programme includes works by D. Buxtehude, Ch.-M. Widor, J. S. Bach, L. Boëllmann, A. Piazzolla.
The organ music festival will end on November 27 with the concert program “Two Geniuses: Vivaldi and Bach” performed by the Russian organist, pianist and harpsichordist, as well as the laureate of the Russian award “Organist of the Year – 2021” Maria Blazhevich.
For many decades, the Polotsk organ has been captivating musicians and listeners with its extraordinary sound, the beauty and depth of which is highlighted by the unique acoustics of St. Sophia Cathedral. Give yourself and your loved ones the most vivid emotions!