Speaking at the Twelfth Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo press conference held at the Rossia Segodnya Multimedia Press Center, Major General Timofey Mayakin, Head of the Military Music Band Service of the Russian Armed Forces — Chief Military Conductor, Music Director and member of the Festival Artistic Board, revealed the music idea of this year’s Festival.
“We are following the Festival’s traditional pattern, starting with the prologue, followed by the individual performances of bands and music ensembles, and finishing with a big finale featuring the combined band of all the Festival’s participants”, noted Timofey Mayakin.
According to the Chief Military Conductor of the country, military wind bands had no limits as they could go on in any weather conditions, perform music pieces of all genres and styles, ranging from military marches, lyric waltzes and classical compositions to Jazz, Rock, Folk and Pop songs and melodies. “The Festival will actually feature all the genres listed. Besides, the audiences will have a chance to listen to the military bands’ vocalists singing acapella”, pointed bout Timofey Mayakin.
Then he revealed the leading theme of the 2019 Spasskaya Tower Festival. That is the Solo with a Band. “This time military musicians will prove that they are not only excellent team players, but good solo artists as well. Putting forth all their individual skills, they will showcase the unique opportunities that each brass instrument provides us”, highlighted Mr. Mayakin. Individual instruments, groups of instruments and vocalists will make up the soloist pool. Mr. Mayakin noted that the theme had been discussed with all the participants and it was up to them to incorporate and develop it within their performances. Thus, the prologue will feature a rock band performing with a military band.
Performances by the famous leading singers will also support the main theme of the 2019 production. Tamara Gverdtsiteli, Hibla Gerzmava, Anita Tsoi, Mireille Mathieu and the
“The audiences themselves may become the soloists of the main show of the Festival. We are going to repeat last year’s practice and display lyrics on the screens in the finale. Thus the stands may sing along the combined band that will perform melodies of popular songs”, recalled the Chief Military Conductor.
He also pointed out that evening shows would feature individual performances of the President’s Band, the Cadet Band of the Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov Moscow Military Music College together with the Girls Drummers Band of the
Along with the Spasskaya Tower Festival Moscow will hold the second round of the Contest among the members of the Military Bands Music Service of the Russian Armed Forces. “Last year saw the first round with twelve band coming first in four categories. August 28 these twelve bands will compete with each other in several categories. It’s already known that their performances will also support the theme of the chief military festival of the country. August 29 and 30 they will perform onstage of the Russian Army Central Academic Theater and the access is free”, said Timofey Mayakin. Winning teams will have a chance to become part of the Festival’s evening shows on August 28, 29 and 30.