The Tatar State Symphony Orchestra or National Tatarstan Orchestra (Russian: Национальный оркестр Татарстана) is the state orchestra of Tatarstan, Russia.
The Tatar State Symphony Orchestra, dedicated to the great Tatar poet Ğabdulla Tuqay, was founded in 1966 on the initiative of Näcip Cihanov, a prominent composer, founder and the first chancellor of Kazan Conservatory.[1] The first conductor and artistic director of the orchestra was Natan Rakhlin.[2] The State Symphony Orchestra began with 35 musicians under conductor M.E. Shepper. From January 11, 1938 the orchestra became known as the Tatar State Symphony Orchestra. In late 1939, the orchestra moved into the newly opened Tatar State Opera and Ballet Theatre.[3]
Immediately after World War II, the Philharmonic toured all across Russia and Central Asia from the prestigious concert halls of Moscow to venues in Kazakhstan.[4] In 1946, the Philharmonic was organized in the piano trio, consisting of B. Apresov, A. Broun, and N. Braude.
Notable musicians and conductors became a part of the orchestra including Dzh. G. Sadrizhiganov (1948–1949), A. S. Klyucharev (1950–1952), Dzh. Fayzi (1953–1959), R. K. Volkov (1959–1964), A. Z. Monasypov (1966), M. N. Nigmetzyanov (1967–1973), I. G. Mazitov (1975–1990), and since 1992 and until today, the artistic director has been Tuquy State Prize Laureate Ilgam Shakirov.[5] Since the 1950s, the Philharmonic has been led by N. G. Badamshin (1951–1952), M. F. Bogolyubov (1952–1961), A. Kalinin (1961–1965), M. G. Pervin (1965–1973), M. A. Tazetdinov (1973–1988), and A. Z. Safin (1989–2003), K. N. Nurullin (2003–present).[6]Since 2007 the orchestral management has cancelled the orchestra's affiliation with Tatar State Philharmonic Society and merged with S. Saydashev Great Concert Hall.[7]