Skulsky, Aleksandr Moyseyevich (1942–2022) — conductor, artistic director, and chief conductor of the Philharmonic named after Mstislav Rostropovich. People's Artist of Russia, professor, and Honorary Citizen of Nizhny Novgorod. One of the most prominent figures in the musical culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region in the second half of the twentieth and the early twenty-first century.[1]

Biography and Career Path

Aleksandr Skulsky was born in Nizhny Novgorod — at the time known as the Gorky. In 1965 he graduated from the Gorky Conservatory, and in 1967 joined the staff of the Gorky (later Nizhny Novgorod) Philharmonic Orchestra, with which he remained associated for more than half a century.[2] Alongside his early years with the orchestra, Skulsky studied at the Leningrad Conservatory under conductor Nikolai Rabinovich and became a regular concertgoer at the halls of the Leningrad Philharmonic.[2] From 2000 he served as chief conductor and artistic director of the orchestra.[2]

Conducting Career

Over the course of his work, more than 2,000 programs were performed under Skulsky's baton, covering virtually the entire core classical repertoire as well as more than 200 premieres of works by contemporary Russian and foreign composers.[1] At the Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic he led monographic symphony cycles devoted to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mahler, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev, and introduced audiences to works by Bartók, Martinů, Bernstein, Lutosławski, Shchedrin, Schnittke, and Gubaidulina.[2] At Skulsky's invitation, Eliso Virsaladze and Natalia Gutman came to Nizhny Novgorod; together with the latter, the conductor presented the cycle "The Cello in the Twentieth Century."[2]

With the Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) Philharmonic Orchestra, Skulsky performed regularly in the Grand Hall of the Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) Philharmonic. His debut on that stage took place in October 1971 as part of the subscription series "Debuts of Young Conductors."[2] His final appearance in the Grand Hall was in January 2002, an evening of instrumental concertos featuring the Mogilevskyy family.[2] Under his direction, the orchestra toured throughout Russia and abroad.[2]

In addition to his conducting work, Skulsky was the author of scripts and the host of musical television programs and productions, wrote scholarly papers, articles, and teaching guides, and served on the juries of conducting competitions.[1]

Recognition and Awards

Skulsky was a three-time recipient of the Nizhny Novgorod Prize — in 1997, 2005, and 2009.[1] By a City Council dated 28 May 2014, he was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Nizhny Novgorod.[1] He was also awarded the title of People's Artist of Russia and the rank of professor.[1]

Final Years

In the last summer of his life — in August 2022 — Aleksandr Skulsky stepped up to the podium with the orchestra to which he had devoted more than half a century. On 30 August 2022, he passed away in Nizhny Novgorod.[2]

Sources

  1. gordumannov.ru — Skulsky, Aleksandr Moyseyevich
  2. 100philharmonia.spb.ru — Aleksandr Skulsky