Tambov conductor Alexei Morgunov for the first time performed with the orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic

On October 23, in the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Tambov conductor Alexei Morgunov made his debut with the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Philharmonic. The program of the evening included three works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky – the symphonic ballad Voevoda, the First Piano Concerto and the Second Symphony. The soloist was pianist Valery Kuleshov.

The first piano concerto was performed in the author's edition. In the interpretation of Morgunov, special attention was paid to the lyrical and romantic intonations of Tchaikovsky’s music. The second section performed the Second Symphony – a work of special importance for the Tambov region: the composer wrote it in the estate of Usovo, where he visited his friend and student Vladimir Shilovsky. In his interpretation, the conductor emphasized the influence of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphony on the second and third parts.

“To achieve such an incredible reception is, of course, a huge success,” said Alexei Morgunov.

The concert was held at a full hall: all 1500 tickets were sold in advance, and at the box office before the performance gathered those wishing to get to the concert in case of return of tickets.

Alexey Morgunov since 2021 heads the Academic Symphony Orchestra named after S.V. Rachmaninov, which is based in Tambov. The band participates in major musical projects and has already performed at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic – for the first time it happened on June 9, 2025. Morgunov’s debut with the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Philharmonic was a new stage in his professional activity.