The Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo is all about preserving its long-standing traditions, like the combined performance of the young talented students of the Moscow Military Music College named after Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov and the All-Girls Boarding School of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The musical fairytale, inspired by the Russian ballet masterpiece, The Nutcracker, and some world-famous opera classics, captured the crowds’ attention.
The tradition of these combined performances saw light in 2011. Since then the young talents have won over the Spasskaya Tower Festival, and each time they step onto the cobblestones of Red Square the stands explode with ovations. This year the Suvorov Cadet Band and the All-Girls Boarding School have prepared a mesmerizing display showcasing world renowned ballet and opera pieces composed by the great Russian authors. The show was staged by Alexander Gerasimov, Artistic Director and Head of the Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov Moscow Military Music College, with the support of Mikhail Melnik and Kirill Cherchik, the Suvorov cadet band conductors.
The stands heard excerpts from the world-famous ballet masterpiece The Nutcracker, composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, including the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Waltz of Flowers, the Grand Pas de Deux, the March and the Arabian Dance. Musicians staged an open-ground or platz concert demonstrating complicated regroupings, as well as ultimate precision, coordination and cohesion. Then a dynamic gasp-inducing drumming show followed, wrapping up the whole performance.
Vice-sergeant of the Moscow Military Music College Band Damian Zelenevich noted that the ensemble’s musicians were very proud to be called the Suvorov cadets. “At the end of each performance the crowds literally explode with standing ovations and ‘bravo’ greetings. It is an honor for us to be among the Suvorov cadets, and be part of this great Festival. This time we have decided to honor Russian great composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and bring to Red Square several excerpts from The Nutcracker, though with some modern arrangement twists”. The young artist also shared that they could not let the audiences down and prepared an array of different dances, from Russian folklore to Arabian ones, and of course, the long-awaited dynamic drumming fiesta.
According to the boy, the Spasskaya Tower Festival was not just a big celebration of music, but was also a very relevant event. “The Festival takes place in the very heart of Russia and brings together people both on the national and international scale. Artists from all over the globe have traveled to our country and are happily engaging with the Russian participants, including us”, said Damian Zelenevich. “It is very heart-warming to see that once again our foreign fellows decided to perform Russian music pieces proving that our national culture is still popular across the world”, he added.
Speaking about the young and talented, this year the Spasskaya Tower Festival also welcomes the Benchamatheputhit Phetchaburi School Marching Band from Thailand. The ensemble enjoys a proud history, stretching as far as fifty years back. Its record is full of impressive achievements Thus, these talented youngsters once staged a show to welcome the Thailand Royal family and can always be spotted among the prize-winners of various national and international marching band contests.
Today the ensemble’s lineup features 50 musicians. Exploring their native legends and customs, they decided to narrate the story of the Muay Thai martial art, which is part of the Thailand heritage. While musicians perform, several team members tell the stands that Muay Thai features two parts, the prayer or Wai Kru, and the ceremonial dance or Ram Muay.
The ensemble traveled to Moscow bringing along authentic wood and brass instruments, unusual and colorful outfits, as well as traditional songs and dances aiming to highlight their country’s unique artistry. The band leaves the cobblestones of Red Square to the sounds of the Royal Guard March composed by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The night also featured performances by some of the best Russian military and law enforcement agencies. Performing a plethora of compositions ranging from the folklore tunes and popular hits to the beloved war-years songs, they won the audience's standing ovations. Thus, the crowds witnessed 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 Admiralty Band of the Leningrad Naval Base, the 23d Military Band of Leningrad Military District, the Combined Band of the EMERCOM of Russia accompanied by the Honor Guard Unit, the 21st Military Band of the Moscow Military District, the Military Band of the First Air Defense and Missile Defense Army and others.
The Spasskaya Tower Festival foreign participants from Belarus, Venezuela, Guinea, Egypt, China, Turkey and South Africa also took the crowds onboard narrating their amazing stories.
Making their Tattoo debut beneath the Kremlin walls, there were the Admiralty Band of the Leningrad Naval Base, the 23d Military Band of the Leningrad Military District, the Combined Police Band of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, shared Major General Timofey Mayakin, Head of the Band Military Service of the Russian Armed Forces and Music Director of the Festival.
Meanwhile, the South African Air Force Band and Amazons of Guinea paid tribute to their folklore traditions and national customs.
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.
ORGANIZERS URGE YOU AGAINST BUYING E-TICKETS SECOND-HAND OR FROM THIRD PARTIES. PLEASE, BE CAREFUL!
