Military music festival "Spasskaya Tower". Cavalry honorary escort of the Presidential Regiment


The Spasskaya Tower festival was held in Moscow for the eighth time. From the very first show, which happened in 2006, this review of military bands, or Military Tattoo, was timed to coincide with it. It is held, naturally (and this has become a tradition), in early September.

Musical and theatrical performances

Despite the fact that Russia was the last to join this worldwide movement, the Spasskaya Tower festival stands out from similar musical and theatrical shows: in terms of scale and program, the project is unique and has no equal.

Reviews of military bands have always caused big interest from the public, because they represent not only music concerts- these spectacles contribute to the development of a sense of patriotism and pride in the army of one’s country. Accompanied by music, the demonstration of military training, beautiful army ceremonies and paraphernalia made the Spasskaya Tower festival an expected and beloved holiday.

Founders of the Military Tattoo movement

The first of these events was held in 1880 in London. This Royal Tournament brought together almost all large military bands. It began to be held annually. The tradition was interrupted only for the period when the shadow of war hung over Europe. The shows ended in 1999. In the middle of the last century, namely in 1950, the first famous Edinburgh parade of military bands took place. It is very representative, is held annually and attracts up to 200,000 spectators. Canada joined the Military Tattoo movement in 1979, Birmingham in 1989, then Norfolk (USA), Sydney and others. Most of the oldest shows were held under the patronage royal family Great Britain. The London tournament was renamed the British tournament in 2010.

Military band competitions in Europe

Continental Europe also did not stand aside. In Paris at the time of passing World's Fair In 1867, not even a review was held, but a Congress of Military Bands, which was attended by musicians from the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, which took first place that year. In France, reviews of military musicians have been held since 1840. But these were qualifying competitions at which the best military bands were determined, and since 1867, the reviews acquired international significance, although at the beginning they were not permanent, but were timed to coincide with special events.

Poklonnaya Hill became the beginning of annual shows

Against the backdrop of such rich and beautiful story The young Spasskaya Tower festival, declared as international, could not lose face. The location of the festival immediately determined its status. True, the festival that marked the beginning of this wonderful tradition and took place in 2006 was held on Poklonnaya Hill, and it was called “Speeches by the honor guard units of heads of state.” All theatrical performances of the review were accompanied by well-known and beloved military bands in our country. There were also sensations.

Thus, the Kazakh special guard company demonstrated weapons handling techniques, and no army in the world is capable of repeating them. Representatives of this former Soviet republic All years they perform excellently, the high level of their performances is remembered and discussed on the Internet.

Great organization

The colorful show of 2006 turned out to be so impressive that it was decided to hold it on a regular basis, but Red Square was already chosen as the venue, and the name of the new show was “Spasskaya Tower”. It is necessary to indicate the organizers of the first review.

It was the Mikhailov and Partners agency. Strategic Communications Management". This organization systematically and effectively worked to create an attractive image of the capital in order to attract more tourists. The show received the title of the festival in 2009. Now Spasskaya Tower has very serious sponsors. The festival is held with the full support of the capital government and under the patronage of

A wonderful gift for a beautiful city

It was noted above what event the Spasskaya Tower festival is dedicated to - the capital Russian Federation. This is a worthy gift to Moscow. This colorful show interweaves military, classical music, folk and pop.

Colorful costumes of orchestra members at parade parades, special effects and staged dance numbers, performances by A-list stars, receptions and informal, one-of-a-kind concerts, horse riding by riders from the Kremlin riding school - all this can be seen here.

Multi-day holiday

International military music Festival The Spasskaya Tower is gaining strength year after year. If the presence of 70,000 spectators was announced on Poklonnaya Hill, then the last event, held in September 2015, from the 5th to the 13th, was attended by about 200,000 people. Demonstration performances began daily at 20.00, but the life of the festival did not stop during the day: master classes and fairs, performances, events called “Spasskaya Tower for Children”, flash mobs and show performances were held military theme and much more. Each of the 9 days of the festival was a celebration ending with light shows and special effects.

Having a specific topic

It should be noted that this trend has arisen in last years: each Spasskaya Tower music festival has its own general theme dedicated to some historical date. For example, in 2011 the holiday was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the establishment of full-time military bands of the Russian Army. In 2012 it turned 200 and the musical and theatrical performance was, naturally, dedicated to this date.

The theme of the 2013 show was “By reviving traditions, we preserve history!” In the same year, martial monks from Chinese Shaolin performed under the leadership of their mentor Shi Yongxing as part of the festival. The 2014 show, held from August 30 to September 7, was marked by a boycott from a number of countries - they refused to send their musicians to Moscow. The most important thing is that the script was rewritten in a short time. But the festival of military bands "Spasskaya Tower" still took place and was held at high level. The theme of this worthy show was the First World War. And needless to say, this year, 2015, the theme of the Spasskaya Tower was the 70th anniversary Great victory over the fascists. Spasskaya Tower, a festival of military bands, closed nearby in 2015 ceremonial events, dedicated to the Victory, and was carried out at an unprecedentedly high appropriate level.

Festival mascot

The festival's mascot was Mireille Mathieu, a famous vocalist from France who twice became a holder of the country's main order (the Legion of Honor). This is how her work was appreciated. Great singer in 2015 visited our capital for the seventh time during these holidays. She didn’t miss the festival in 2014 either, when she was strongly advised not to go.

Government project

The scope of this holiday is evidenced by the fact that over all the years of the festival’s existence, about 100 army bands, who came from different countries of the world (about 40), took part in it. Russia once again demonstrates to the whole world its openness and desire to cooperate.

The musical director of the festival is Lieutenant General M.F. Khalilov. All years the largest cultural international project Russia invariably hosts Red Square. The Spasskaya Tower festival arose and is held on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin. Year after year, more and more interesting and titled groups arrive at the festival.

More and more representative every year

Thus, in 2015, riders of the Andalusian School performed as part of the festival; their show is by far the best in Europe. The holiday begins with the passage of the combined orchestra of all the visiting military musicians along Tverskaya Street. Later, in the daytime, they perform at various venues in Moscow, where they give free concerts. Until 2015, China and Mexico sent only individual folklore groups to the Spasskaya Tower; in the same year, these countries were represented by the main military bands. On the final day of the grandiose show performance, according to an already established tradition, a combined orchestra of all participants, consisting of 1,500 musicians, enters Red Square.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this festival. Therefore, active preparations for the 2016 musical and theatrical performance began immediately after the closing of the current show.

MOSCOW, September 4 – RIA Novosti. The eighth international military music festival "Spasskaya Tower 2015" will be dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and will become the largest in the history of the event, reporters were told on Friday CEO Rosoboronexport (general sponsor of the project) Anatoly Isaikin.

Viewers of the Spasskaya Tower will see light show on the Red SquareThe Spasskaya Tower festival, which is scheduled to open on September 5, brings together musical groups from 14 countries, including Belgium, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Spain, China, Pakistan, and Japan.

“From September 5 to 13, 26 groups from 14 countries will perform on Red Square. Every year this amazing cultural project is becoming more and more famous not only in Russia, but also abroad. This is not surprising, because the power of music brings people together and penetrates souls , bypassing artificially created barriers,” Isaikin said.

According to him, it is symbolic that it is military musicians who appear as ambassadors of peace and friendship, mutual respect and openness between different countries.

Isaikin also said that this year the festival will be the solemn culmination of Rosoboronexport’s program to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Victory. As part of this program, the company provided assistance Central Museum Air Force in Monino for the restoration of six aircraft, and the Sapun-Gora Memorial Complex in Sevastopol for the restoration of the Obelisk of Glory and over 40 samples of Soviet weapons and military equipment from the war.

According to music director festival, the main military conductor of Russia, Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov, sanctions against Russia went unnoticed during the festival, thanks to the very diverse composition of participants representing Europe, Asia, the Far and Middle East.

“We have 1.5 thousand participants, including 8 full-time military orchestras. A very good composition of orchestras, very professional in status. In the finale, a combined orchestra will perform a medley on the theme of songs about the war. We finish with our march “Day” Victory,” Khalilov told RIA Novosti.

According to him, the orchestra of the People's Liberation Army of China came for the first time with an honor guard, the police orchestra from Italy, the military orchestra of the Greek Air Force with a company of the guard of honor, the military orchestra of Kazakhstan with an honor guard came for the fourth time, the orchestra of Pakistan with a folklore group, the orchestra armed forces Belarus, orchestra of the armed forces of Mexico. In addition, this year a completely unique performance is expected from the royal stilt walkers from Belgium, who came with a brass band, a folk group from Japan, and the Royal Andalusian Riding School from Spain. There will also be regular festival guests, bagpipers from Ireland, a brass band from Slovenia, and an imperial youth orchestra from Great Britain, the lieutenant general added.

At the same time, 12 Russian speakers are also expected to speak. musical groups, which for the first time this year was joined by the orchestra of the headquarters of the Southern Military District with Cossack flavor and military songs.

The international military music festival "Spasskaya Tower" has been regularly held since 2007 in Moscow on Red Square by order of the President of the Russian Federation.

September 17th, 2015

Last weekend in Moscow ended international festival military bands Spasskaya Tower. The festival lasted for more than a week, attracting full stands. Traditionally, the weather was so-so, but it only rained a couple of times.

1. This year the festival was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory.

2. According to tradition, the festival is opened by our people :)

3. All the pyrotechnics at the festival were made by the Orion-Art company.

4. Brass band of the postal service, Maribor.

5. In 1931, in Maribor, a group of amateur musicians, postal employees, created a brass band for the postal service. The group quickly became popular, and musicians who were not postal workers began to play in it.

6. The military band of the headquarters of the Southern Military District was formed on August 2, 1962 on the basis of the military band of the 106th communications regiment with permanent place deployment in Rostov-on-Don.

7. The Pakistan Armed Forces Band was formed in 1947. The team combined in its creativity individual traditions of the armed forces British Empire and national heritage.

8. Honor guard company and orchestra Presidential Regiment"Aibyn", Kazakhstan.

9. United by Music Pipe and Drum Orchestra, Ireland.

10. Band of the Municipal Police of Rome. Its history began in 1870, when the City Guard Band was created.

11. Royal stilt walkers, Belgium.

12. The tradition of using stilts in Belgium has been known since the Middle Ages: with their help, residents got to neighboring villages after heavy rains cut them off from each other. However, stilts soon became not only a useful device in inclement weather, but also entertainment.

13. Band and honor guard company of the People's Liberation Army of China.

14. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Military Band was established in 1947. Since 1952 it has been based in Beijing.

16. Now the orchestra includes three groups of symphonic and wind music, one group of teachers of wind music and a music studio.

17. Folklore group "Kanto Matsuri".

18. The history of Kanto Matsuri - the lantern festival - goes back about 400 years.

19. Honored Band of the Republic of Belarus “Exemplary Orchestra of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.”

21. The history of the exemplary orchestra of the Mexican Armed Forces begins in 1889, when, on the initiative of the country's president, General Porfirio Diaz, the Supreme Power Orchestra was created.

22. Mireille Mathieu. She came to all the Spasskaya Tower festivals.

23. The Suvorov Orchestra of the Moscow Military Music School prepares something interesting every year.

24. Every day the festival program ended with colorful fireworks.

25. There will be a separate story about this shooting :)

28. My traditional shot from the festival:)

I would like to point out a couple of shortcomings of the festival. The first is that you can’t hear anything at the top of the VIP stand. You can more or less hear the orchestras. But you can’t hear the singers at all (and this year many orchestras brought singers). Why it was impossible to put sound at the top is unclear.The second thing I didn't like was the light. The stage lights were often dark, and the lights above the side stands were often harsh on the eyes. Not good. Otherwise, the festival went well, spectators filled the stands all days.

Spasskaya Tower 2013.

The annual festival of military bands “Spasskaya Tower 2015” was held in Moscow. Enchanting performances by musicians, acrobatic stunts and even horse shows - thousands of guests were able to see this and much more.

The International Festival of Military Bands was held on Red Square for the eighth time. This year “Spasskaya Tower-2015” was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, notes online publication “Defend Russia”.

Rich in surprises

The festival opened with a costumed installation: the sound of sirens, the light of searchlights - the enemy was marching along the paving stones of the main square of the country. Towards the enemy - Soviet army. To the music of Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, a performance unfolds on Red Square, which reminds the audience of how terrible and destructive the Great War was. Patriotic War for our country.

The eighth festival turned out to be rich in surprises: for the first time, performances from Mexico and China were not folklore groups, and the main orchestras of the defense ministries of these countries, Italy is represented by the Roman police orchestra, and the Maribor postal orchestra represents Slovenia. According to Slovenian conductor Erwin Hartman, this is more like an orchestra of the Ministry of Transport, and the uniform of postmen is just a tribute to tradition. Judging by the reaction of the spectators on Red Square, this uniform suits the “postwomen”.

Slovenia was replaced by orchestra members from Pakistan. The delegation was headed by Brigadier General Hamid Ali Khan, by the way, the highest-ranking military man among the festival guests.

Belarus surprised everyone with an incendiary, in every sense, show. One of the orchestra members blew real fireworks out of a pipe during the performance!

This is not the first time that Scottish bagpipes have taken part in the festival. But this time, Major O’Hagan’s pipers and drummers especially amazed the guests of the Spasskaya Tower with their performance of the Russian “Kalinka” and “Katyusha”.

The orchestra of the Kazakh Presidential Regiment "Aibyn" received a storm of applause when they performed the famous song of the group "A-Studio" - "Soldier of Love".

Italy was represented by the Roman Police Band. Red Square literally turned red for a few minutes - from the raincoats of the Italian law enforcement officers who filled it. The Roman orchestra performed with opera singer Isabella Avati.

The guests of the Spasskaya Tower were especially delighted by the Belgian Royal Stilt Walkers. For a few minutes, the festival spectators seemed transported to the arena of Cirque Du Soleil - the performance of the Belgians was so bright and fabulous.

The Chinese girls showed a synchronized, clear, precise performance down to the second. The icing on the cake was the girls’ performance of the song “Moscow Nights.”

The Japanese were more like a sports team than an orchestra. But the impressive size of the drum indicated that the representatives of the Country rising sun It was no coincidence that we ended up at the festival. According to the orchestra members themselves, initially there were two groups - the first performed with bamboo poles, the second was created from drummers and flutists. Now both teams have united into one, which came to the Spasskaya Tower.

"Blue handkerchief" over the entire area

The traditional guest of the festival was French singer Mireille Mathieu. Every year she performs one song in Russian at the festival. This time was no exception - the entire audience sang “The Blue Handkerchief” along with the star.

You can also watch the brightest incendiary moments of the orchestras' performance in our video.

“Spasskaya Tower” ended until September 13. Every day, guests could enjoy performances by musical groups from 14 countries - Belarus, Belgium, Great Britain, Holland, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Mexico, Pakistan, Japan and Russia.

Besides musical numbers, the audience saw the exciting performances of the joint horse riding team of the Cavalry Honorary Escort of the Presidential Regiment and the Kremlin Riding School.

The Royal Andalusian School of Horsemanship, which came to the festival from Spain, deserves special attention. Famous show“How Andalusian Horses Dance” could be seen on Red Square almost every day of the festival.

Help "RT"

The Spasskaya Tower took place for the first time in 2007, when more than a thousand military musicians from different countries. In total, since the beginning of the festival, more than 100 orchestras from 40 countries have taken part in it.

Every year at the beginning of September the International Military Music Festival “Spasskaya Tower” is held in Moscow on Red Square. Now there is no doubt that Russia has its own parade of military bands, which is not duplicated by any of the famous Military Tattoos, and in scope and scale has no equal and is second only to the Victory Parade on May 9.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Military Band was established in 1947. Since 1952 it has been based in Beijing. Now the orchestra includes three groups of symphonic and wind music, one group of teachers of wind music and a music studio.

Honor guard company and orchestra of the Presidential Regiment "Aibyn"

2014, 2015

The Republican Guard was created in 1992, and in April 2014, as a result of the reform of the Armed Forces, it was reorganized into the Service state protection Republic of Kazakhstan.

Exemplary Band of the Mexican Armed Forces

The history of the exemplary orchestra of the Mexican Armed Forces begins in 1889, when, on the initiative of the country's president, General Porfirio Diaz, the Supreme Power Orchestra was created.

Rome Municipal Police Band

The history of the Municipal Police Band of Rome began in 1870, when the City Guard Band was created.

Imperial Youth Orchestra, Brentwood

In 2015, the Brentwood Imperial Youth Orchestra celebrates its 25th anniversary, and the best gift For young musicians, it was confirmation of participation in the International Military Music Festival “Spasskaya Tower”.

Folk group "Kanto Matsuri"

In Japan, famous caring attitude to their traditions, at the end of summer it is customary to remember their ancestors. For three days, on the so-called Obon, the souls of loved ones return to their homes, where colorful lanterns are lit to bring them joy. At the same time, people offer prayers to the gods for the sending of peace, health, prosperity to the family, and ask for protection from natural Disasters and a good harvest.

Brass band of the postal service, Maribor

In 1931, in Maribor, a group of amateur musicians, postal employees, created the postal service brass band. The group quickly became popular, and musicians who were not postal workers began to play in it. The orchestra is supported by the country's national postal operator, the Slovenian Post.

Royal Andalusian School of Horsemanship

The Royal Andalusian School of Horsemanship was founded in 1973. This moment marked the beginning of the revival traditional art Spanish equestrian dressage.

Royal stilt walkers

The tradition of using stilts in Belgium has been known since the Middle Ages: with their help, residents reached neighboring villages after heavy rains cut them off from each other. However, stilts soon became not only a useful device in inclement weather, but also entertainment. On famous painting Pieter Bruegel's "Child's Games" depicts them as child's play.

Band of the Armed Forces

The Honored Band of the Republic of Belarus “Exemplary Orchestra of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus” was created on April 1, 1950 as the orchestra of the headquarters of the Belarusian Military District.

Pakistan Armed Forces Band

2011, 2015

The Pakistan Armed Forces Band was formed in 1947. The team in its work combined individual traditions of the armed forces of the British Empire and national heritage.

Presidential Orchestra

2006, 2007, 2009-2015

Presidential Orchestra of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant Service Federal service of the Russian Federation is a unique team; its history is closely intertwined with the history of the state.

Special guard company of the Presidential Regiment

2006, 2007, 2009-2015

The main tasks of the unit, formed in 1976, are to provide events at the highest state level and serve as an honor guard Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Cavalry honorary escort of the Presidential Regiment

2006, 2007, 2009-2015

The history of the Cavalry Honor Escort dates back to the Imperial Convoy and a unit of the 11th Independent Cavalry Regiment, formed in 1962. On the basis of this unit, on September 2, 2002, the Cavalry Honor Escort was formed.

Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense

2006, 2007, 2009-2015

Leading creative team The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and one of the most famous orchestras in the world - the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was founded in 1927.

Central Orchestra of the Navy named after. ON THE. Rimsky-Korsakov

2007, 2009, 2012 - 2015

Created in 1941, the Central Concert Exemplary Orchestra is the leading creative group of the Navy. In 1994, the orchestra was named after the great Russian composer N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov.

Military Exemplary Honor Guard Band

2011 - 2015

Only this orchestra is the first to represent the level of domestic musical art at the time of the arrival of distinguished guests - heads of official government and military delegations of foreign states - in our country.

Suvorov Orchestra of the Moscow Military Music School

2006, 2007, 2009-2015

Moskovskoe military music school- one of a kind educational institution- was founded in 1937. Over the more than 70-year history of its existence, the school has trained a large number of musicians...