The Music Congress is a guest of the RSL. Event report

Location: Moscow
Date: June 27 — July 3, 2010
Upcoming event

From June 27 to July 2, 2010 the Russian Academy of Public Administration (RAPA) hosted the congress of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Information Centres (IAML). It was attended by over 200 experts and scholars from 39 countries, including representatives from the RSL. Our library not only participated in the event itself, but also invited congress guests to Pashkov House, where there was a concert given by the legendary orchestra 'Pratum Integrum', as well as a specially prepared exhibition of rare editions of printed music.

From the time of its completion, Pashkov House was the venue for social events, colourful balls and chamber concerts. It looks like the wheel of history turned full circle, and enchanting melodies resounded in the walls of the mansion again. Thus, as a part of the program of the Congress of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Information Centres (IAML), there was a performance in the concert hall of Pashkov House by 'Pratum Integrum', an old-time music orchestra under the baton of Pavel Serbin.

The peculiarity and the uniqueness of the visiting musical group lies in the fact that the instruments being played by musicians are masterpieces of the art of the violin-makers of XVIII—XIX centuries or exact replicas. The XVIII century music appears before the audience free from later additions. The music pieces which were presented to the attention of the participants have their original notes stored in the Department of printed music and sound recordings and science and at the research Department of manuscripts of the RSL. A virtuoso performance by 'Pratum Integrum' was so impressive that the audience called for three encores.

The next day, right here in the old mansion of the library, members of the Congress could familiarize themselves with the funds of printed music editions and recordings. Before this tour, our foreign colleagues had visited the Diamond Fund of the Kremlin. But even the strongest impressions from the Russian tsars treasury could not eclipse what they saw in Pashkov House. Here, weary after a busy day, people were immersed in an atmosphere of traditional Leninka’s hospitality: evening tea with cakes, unhurried acquaintance with the funds, easy conversation. Someone saw a poster of 'The Magic Flute' by Mozart and hummed a sunny melody at once.

The head of the department of printed music and sound recordings Alla Semeniuk and her deputy Tatiana Gorshkova played the role of tour guides. Their stories were full of lively episodes and bright cultural details. Employees of Europein and USA music libraries were interested in the widely varied information. These included the fate of the famous record firm 'Melodia': Does it exist today? The issue arose after a visit to the fund of sound recordings, where the records of this company take pride of place.

The concert and exhibition hall showcased rarities that make up the pride of the sheet music collection of the RSL but the main surprise — the repository of the most rare and valuable music publications, came at the end. This is a secret place, where only the chief custodian is allowed to enter. However, for our dear guests an exception had been made.

Photo: Maria Kolosova
05.07.2010