The first conservatories began to appear in the middle of the 16th century in Italy. Establishments of such a plan initially prepared singers for ceremonial services, and only after some time they became the place with which we are used to associate this concept. That is, there began to train composers, musicologists and performers.
Russian conservatories and their graduates have always been highly regarded by the international community. Fortunately, our music school continues to maintain a high level of education, periodically releasing another genius into the world.
We will consider the list of the best conservatories in Russia, which includes the most authoritative and significant domestic educational institutions. For a more visual picture, a list of universities will be presented in the form of a rating.
Rating of Russian Conservatories:
- Higher educational institution named after Rimsky-Korsakov.
- MGK them. Tchaikovsky.
- Saratov Conservatory named after Sobinova.
- Novosibirsk Conservatory Glinka.
- Russian Conservatory named after Gnesins.
- Kazan Conservatory Zhiganova.
- Petrozavodsk Academy Glazunov.
- GMPI them. Ippolitov-Ivanov.
Let's consider each educational institution in more detail.
Conservatory named after Rimsky-Korsakov
Many music fans are wondering: “When was the first conservatory opened in Russia?” The St. Petersburg Academy named after Rimsky-Korsakov is precisely the oldest among others. The institution began its work in 1862 on the initiative of the famous domestic composer and conductor A.G. Rubinstein.
For nearly 40 years, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov spent in the walls of the first conservatory of Russia. Honored Musical Worker became the author of the first works on the theory of composition and harmony. Also noteworthy is the fact that the first graduate of this academy to receive a gold medal was the world-famous Pyotr Tchaikovsky, whose name bears the next Russian Conservatory on the list.
MGK them. Tchaikovsky
The metropolitan educational institution is only four years younger than Petersburg, but is connected with it by close ties of kinship. The first leader and founder of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory is Nikolai Rubinstein, the brother of A. G. Rubinstein.
After the opening of the academy, Pyotr Tchaikovsky became the main innovator and respected professor. It is worth noting that this conservatory of Russia today combines not only a university, but also a research center, a huge thematic gallery, a library, as well as a concert society with a large number of groups. Tchaikovsky MGK was awarded the UNESCO Mozart Award for its huge contribution to culture.
Saratov Conservatory named after Sobinova
In third place in the ranking of the best conservatories in Russia is the Saratov educational institution named after L. V. Sobinov. It began its work in the distant 1912. The conservatory occupies an old, but well restored Gothic building of the early twentieth century.
The walls of the academy not only train musicians, but also take care of the musical literacy of the local population. Almost every day, the conservatory organizes concerts of classical music. On average, about 300 performances are held in the halls of this academy in one year. Concerts are given by both small creative groups and professors themselves, showing a master class.
Novosibirsk Conservatory Glinka
This is a relatively young conservatory in Russia. A little over 60 years have passed since its opening. The educational institution is located outside the European part of Russia, in the vastness of Siberia, but this does not prevent it from being in demand and releasing geniuses of music.
Separately, it is worth noting the huge museum, which is located on the territory of the conservatory. It contains more than 6,000 thematic exhibits: chronicles of performances, old posters, photographs, rare works with manuscripts and much more.
The replenishment is carried out by musical and ethnographic expeditions, which also conduct a study of the traditions of the people of the Far East and Siberia. Scientist enthusiasts are interested not only in the musical culture of the indigenous population, but also in the migrants.
Russian Conservatory named after Gnesins
The Gnesins Academy of Music is located in Moscow, and more than 120 years have passed since its opening. But the educational institution did not immediately become a conservatory. Originally it was a small private school, but years later it grew into a musical conglomerate.
Here you can get both primary and higher education. Any entrant, if he wishes, can go all the musical way from and to: learn basic skills, then master professional techniques and subsequently become a real artistic person.
Among other graduates of Gnesinka, one can note such great and significant people of Russian music as Tariverdiev, Kazarnovskaya, Khachaturian, Fedoseev and Kisin. All of them had only positive impressions of this academy.
Kazan Conservatory Zhiganova
The Academy began to accept the first students in 1945, almost immediately after the victory in the Great Patriotic War. Among the students were not only local residents of nearby regions, but applicants from the southern and central parts of Russia.
For 70 years, the conservatory has been preparing musicians, conductors and performers for the fatherland. After the final fall of the Iron Curtain, the doors of the university opened wide for foreigners. Today, students from China, Japan, and the United States are receiving education at the academy. Each year, 7,000 musicians of various profiles leave the conservatory.
Many graduates thundered all over the world. Other names include personalities such as Renat Ibragimov and Oleg Lundstrem. In addition, the National Conservatory named after N. G. Zhiganov boasts an impressive music library. Local funds account for more than 420 thousand works, as well as collections of audio and video material.
Petrozavodsk Academy Glazunova
Since the beginning of its appearance, the Petrozavodsk Higher Educational Institution has been a branch of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, but, since 1991, it is a separate university. Over the past ten years, the Academy has firmly established its profile as a concert and performance center.
Since 1995, the only direction in the Finno-Ugric ethnic groups has been operating in the conservatory in Russia. The local specialists preserve and teach folk traditions, providing young people not only to the nearby regions, but also other areas of our country.
GMPI them. Ippolitova-Ivanova
The capital's State Musical Pedagogical Institute began its work in 1923 as a public school No. 4. The educational institution successfully developed thanks to the rector of the Moscow Conservatory Ippolitov-Ivanov. This conservatory was named in honor of him.
A little later, the educational institution was divided into a school and a school. Since 1960, the department of folk singing began to function. In the early 90s of the last century, the institution received the status of a conservatory and graduated musicians with higher education. Among other graduates of the institute, one can note such famous personalities as Pugacheva, Zykina and Shavrina.