Belarusian State Philharmonic, Concert hall and philharmonic society on Nezavisimosty Avenue, Minsk, Belarus.
The Belarusian State Philharmonic occupies a rectangular building with a gabled roof on Yakub Kolas Square, built in 1959–1963 under architect Georgy Benediktov. Its main entrance has a portico of six fluted columns and a triangular pediment, and semicircular bay windows hold the staircases. Inside are the 688-seat Great Hall and the 200-seat Small Hall named after Grigory Shirma.
Founded on 25 April 1937, the philharmonic began with a symphony orchestra, folk instrument ensemble, choir and dance ensemble; trombonist Grigory Pragin was its first director and composer Isaac Lyuban its artistic head. It was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in 1940, suspended work during the Second World War and resumed in 1945. In 1963 it moved into the former Belmestprom Palace of Culture on Yakub Kolas Square.
The venue serves as home to the State Academic Symphony Orchestra and folk ensembles that perform throughout the year. Visitors can experience both classical and traditional Belarusian music in these halls.
The hall stands on Yakub Kolas Square, and the main entrance is reached through a portico of six fluted columns and a triangular pediment. Staircases sit in the semicircular bay windows on the side facades. Since the 2004–2005 renovation the building holds two halls, the Great Hall with 688 seats and the Small Hall named after R. Shirma with 200, so check which one your concert is in.
The Great Hall is built as an amphitheatre, and its organ, made by Czech craftsmen, has 6,500 pipes. The foyer holds a tapestry titled Music, woven in 1976 by V. Nemtsov, V. Tkachev and A. Yaskin. The building has been on Belarus's state list of historical and cultural values since Soviet times.
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