Moscow Officers’ Ball Will Be the Red Line of the Eleventh Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival

The Moscow Officers’ Ball has been chosen as the leading theme of the Eleventh Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival.

This choice is not accidental as the audience survey in social media has shown that majority of the Festival’s guests is interested in listening to the old-time marches and waltzes performed by military bands. Hence, the Officers’ Ball with its sophisticated manners, wonderful wind melodies as well as beauty and nobleness of dancing pairs is the best way to do it.

The history of holding balls in Russia dates back to the Assemblies of Peter the Great, special celebrations introduced by the first Russian emperor into the cultural life of the country’s upper class at the beginning of the 18^th century. Those assemblies had to be accompanied by a musical part with the participation of the highest ranks from company officers to noblemen as well as notable merchants and beginning artisans, notable public servants…as well as their wives and daughters. Some guests enjoyed those assemblies to the full. Others thought them to be boring and burdening. But with decades passing dance became one of the obligatory subjects and was taught in every single educational institution of high and even of secondary level. Manners became more sophisticated and graceful. They were in the blood and nurtures right form the childhood. Balls became an inseparable part of the life of the upper class. Waltzes, polonaises, mazurkas, quadrilles… Only a century after, balls of the Russian court were famous all around Europe.

Every ball had its own rules and its special etiquette and of course a band or music ensemble was obligatory. Balls became an inseparable part of the state and social life of the Russian Empire. The most grandiose balls were held in the capitals but they were loved at provincial towns and military garrisons as well. Despite the fact that usually those events were dedicated for entertainment of the nobles, public balls were held also held in cities parks uniting all the classes.

And today music plays the same uniting and refining role. Music performed by military bands taking us back into the times of the balls’ glory. As such Red Square full of the greatness of our history is the best place to launch the Moscow Officers’ Ball open. Officers in their parade uniform, dames in their evening garments, smiles, dances and live music performed by some of the best military bands all these will create the atmosphere of joy and gorgeous celebration. And this all is the 2018 Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival.