The Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo is a global artistic forum that brings together people and artists on a local, national, and international scale. Two ensembles representing one of the most fascinating cities of Russia, Saint Petersburg, are hitting the cobblestones of Red Square this year. The Admiralty Band of the Leningrad Naval Base and the 23d Military Band of the Leningrad Military District are determined to prove that the city is a northern jewel on the Neva river.
The familiar tune Cruiser “Aurora” starts to fill Red Square, with the words “...what are you dreaming about, cruiser “Aurora”, when morning rises over Neva...” instantly coming in mind. Meanwhile, the Admiralty Band musicians are forming a ship pattern when stepping onto the cobblestones. Optic white uniforms with golden insignia and Saint Andrew's banner are distinctive features of the Russian Navy making them stand out among the peers.
The ensemble has brought to Moscow an open-ground or platz concert with different regrouping patterns, best enjoyed from above the Festival high stands. While playing, musicians perform a series of movements depicting the escalating waves, the rising white sails, and the immense steamship desambarking their anchors.
“The Festival will be getting some maritime vibes this year”, told Lieutenant Captain Nikita Ignatov, military conductor of the Admiralty Band. “Our new program is full of different tunes about the sea and sailors. Therefore, we sought to reflect this fact in our regrouping patterns. For instance, Irina Korchuganova, the soloist of our ensemble, sings the White Steamship song and we group in the shape of a three chimney steamship”, added the 2024 Festival participant.
The 23d Military Band of the Leningrad Military District is also among the debutants of this year’s tattoo run. Coming from the city of Saint Petersburg, they have created an ethereal spectacle brimming with the inventive ideas. The ensemble’s musicians have attempted to capture the charming beauty of Russia’s northern capital and pay homage to its military history, hitting the cobblestones to the world-famous March of the Leningrad Guards Rifles Divisions by Semyon Chernetskiy. Captain Grigoriy Velko, Head and Artistic Director of the 23d Military Band, explained that the choice was not random. In 2024 Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the ultimate liberation of Leningrad, and the composition is dedicated to all the military units that fought for the city's freedom.
Then sounds of vibrant medley, arranged by composer and military conductor Nikita Ladyzhnikov, engulf Moscow’s Red Square. The stands immediately recognize and pick various popular songs such as the Crew is One Family, the March of Aviators, and the Three Tankmen. The musicians form several intricate patterns including a ship and anchor, an airplane, a star and a tank.
“And, without a doubt, our performance would not be complete without the well-known Cruiser Aurora”, highlighted Captain Velko. “We’ve been performing for a couple of shows now, and we are happy to watch how the stands react”.
The artists left the cobblestones of Moscow’s Red Square to the standing ovations of the guests who got a boost of energy and joyful vibes.
The night also featured performances by the President’s Band of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant’s Office accompanied by the Honor Guard Unit of the Presidential Regiment, the Central Military Band of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the 21st Military Band of the Moscow Military District, the Military Band of the First Air Defense and Missile Defense Army, the Suvorov Cadet Band of the Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov Moscow Military Music College together with the Girls Drummers Band of the All-Girls Boarding School of the Russian MoD and others.
The Spasskaya Tower Festival foreign participants from Belarus, Venezuela, Guinea, Egypt, China, Thailand, Turkey and South Africa also narrated their amazing stories.
A compelling medley of the world renowned classics was performed by the tatoo’s combined band which, as a long-standing tradition, was led by Major General Timofey Mayakin, Music Director of the Festival and Chief Military Conductor of Russia. To the sounds of standing ovations and emotionally evoking Farewell of Slavianka musicians and artists left the square, calling it a day.
Scale, audience and impact wise, the Spasskaya Tower Festival has no par, every year being recognized as the most prominent international cultural event in Russia, as well as being ranked among the world’s best top three military tattoos. It’s being carried out following the Order of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, under the aegis of the Public Council headed by Mr. Alexander Zhukov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and enjoying the long-standing support of the Russian MoD, MFA and Moscow’s Department of Culture.
This year’s Festival is being carried out with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
Tickets for the Tattoo are available via the Festival official website (www.spasstower.ru) and the Festival’s ticket office on Manezhnaya Square near the 1812 War Museum. The ticket office is open daily, from 12 am to 9 pm.
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