National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine

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Coordinates: 50°27′12″N, 30°31′42″E

National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Національна Філармонія України), often referred to as Kiev Philharmony and National Philharmony, is a concert hall in Kiev, Ukraine.

The building, standing at the end of Khreschatyk street in the European Square, has a tremendous and long history that starts at the end of 19th century. Throughout the centuries it has hosted numerous Russian composers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Scriabin, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and famous opera singers like Leonid Sobinov and Feodor Chaliapin.

[edit] History

At the end of 19th century, Kiev flourished in its cultural development. In 1881, the Council of Elders of the Kiev Merchants Assembly acquired permission to establish a recreational area in the Tsarist Square (now European Square) where a year later a brick building decorated with towers and metal eaves was erected by Kiev architect Nikolayev and named the Merchants' House (Merchants' Assembly). The building rapidly gained recognition among Kiev residents and became the center for cultural gatherings where society held masquerade balls, science and political conferences, charitable lotteries, and literary evenings. But due to the building's amazing acoustics the Merchants' House was famous for its musical performances.

The history of the Merchants' House has been greatly affected by the Ukrainian composer, pianist and conductor Mykola Lysenko. As one of the founders of the Philharmonic Society, Ukrainian Club, and Ukrainian School of Music, Lysenko was elected to the directorate board of the Merchants' House and brought the music of many Russian and European composers to the citizens of Kiev.

During the Russian Revolution the building underwent a big change in its purpose and accommodated the Proletarian House of Arts, converted to the House of Political Education, and later to the Bolshevik Club and Republican Palace of Pioneers. The Merchant's Assembly ceased to exist in 1919. In 1927, the Philharmonic Society moved to Kharkiv when it became the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. But in 1934 it returned to Kiev when the city regained its status.

At the beginning of World War II, the Philharmonic Society stopped its work, and most of its priceless archives were destroyed. During the German occupation of Kiev, the building was converted to a German Officer's Club. This was one of the important reasons why the building was not destroyed. In 1944, the Philharmonic Society resumed its operation.

During the Soviet times, in 1962, the building was renamed to Kiev State Philharmonic after Mykola Lysenko for his 120th birthday anniversary and the 50th anniversary of his death. It was also awarded the status of architectural monument. In the 1980s, the building suffered a flood, during which many of its music libraries and archives perished. The conditions demanded restoration, which began in 1995. A year later, the restored building opened its doors to the public.

In October 1994, the newly elected President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, granted the building the status of National Philharmonic of Ukraine. In 2000, the National Philharmonic received a cultural grant from the Government of Japan with which it was able to acquire a new concert grand piano and additional musical instruments for the symphony orchestra.

[edit] References

• Official site
• Kyiv Sightseeing Guide (2001) ISBN 966-7022-29-3.