About the Activities of the Tsaritsyn Section of the Imperial Russian Musical Society and the “Cultural Revolution” in Pre-Revolutionary Tsaritsyn

Abstract

The article is devoted to analysis of the activities of the Tsaritsyn Section of the Imperial Russian Musical Society (IRMS) and an evaluation of its influence on the musical culture of pre-revolutionary Tsaritsyn (presently Volgograd). The author examines the history of the emergence of this Section (a circle of music lovers – the local section of the IRMS – Musical Classes affiliated with it – a Musical College), as well as the main direction of its educational and concert-enlightening work (emphasis is made on chamber music and orchestral concerts, as well as concert performances of opera scenes). Some of the prominent public figures of the Tsaritsyn Section are also presented, including enlightened merchants-patrons (Alexander Repnikov, Alexander Lapshin), instructors of Musical Classes (Anatoly Orlov – the first director, Alexei Serebryakov, Ivan Peregudov), and the most talented graduates of the Classes (Pavel Serebryakov); their merits are highlighted. For the first time in regional music research the achievements of the Tsaritsyn Section are presented in the context of the complex historical path of Tsaritsyn, which for a lengthy time (for nearly three centuries: from the 17th to the first half of the 19th century) has been in a situation of economic and cultural stagnation. On the basis of the data brought in the article (including those from archival sources) the author formulates a conclusion about the historical role of Tsaritsyn Section of the IRMS as a social force, which carried out a truly revolutionary change in the musical culture of pre-revolutionary Tsaritsyn. Keywords: musical culture of Tsaritsyn, the Tsaritsyn Section of the Imperial Russian Musical Society, the merchant patrons Alexander Lapshin and Alexander Repnikov, Pavel Serebryakov.