Yurlov Russian State Academic Capella Founded in 1919, the State Yurlov Choir Cappella is one of the oldest and best-recognised musical institutions in Russia, and one of the most distinguished choirs in Europe and the world at large. It arose from an ensemble founded near Moscow in 1900, which soon became one of the best church choirs in the capital. After the revolution of 1917 it was transformed into the Concert Symphony Choir of the Commissariat of Education. The most important period for the Cappella is connected with the name of Professor Alexander Yurlov (1927-1973), a truly outstanding musician. Since 1958 he headed the Cappella and worked tirelessly on vocal perfection of the choir, its composition and repertoire. Owing to his titanic efforts the Cappella achieved its highest artistic level. Despite his early death, the Maestro's contribution was so great that his name ushered in a new age in Russian music. Yurlov was the first to open a vast world of Russian choral compositions, unknown to both Russian and foreign audiences. The main interests of the Cappella always had to do with Russian music, and a lot of masterpieces performed by its singers remain unsurpassed. The Cappella often performed with such eminent conductors as E. Svetlanov, G. Rozhdestvensky, Y. Temirkanov, V. Gergiev, as well as P. Kogan, V. Ashkenazy and other brilliant musicians. The repertoire of the Cappella is vast, from medieval Russian Orthodox chants through Bach to Rachmaninoff and modern composers. . © All rights reserved 2011         nik@athAnAS