Novgorod Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra “Camerata Anima” was founded in March, 1994 as a professional collective. The initiative of its creation belongs to the orchestra’s unchangeable art director and conductor Natialia Vinogradova. The orchestra consists of twenty musicians playing violins, violas, cellos and double-basses. All the participants are Novgorodians, so this allows to avoid staff turnover which, unfortunately, is a wide spread problem. The orchestra’s management considers the latter aspect to be of great importance, because stability of an orchestra’s contingent is a key for achieving a high level of ensemble performance. “Саmerata Anima” is well known all over Russia, in particular in its North-Western part where the cities most frequently visited by Novgorod Chamber Orchestra are Saint Petersburg, Vologda, Pskov, Velikie Luki and others. Also, the Orchestra is welcomed in other regions of Russia in such cities as Tambov, Kostroma and other.

Saint Petersburg producer organizations willingly collaborate with the orchestra, during two concert seasons Novgorod Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra participated in year-long series of concerts held in S.Petersburg Chapel, participated in international festival “Christmas meetings in North Palmira”; for years this festival is presided by world renowned conductor Yuri Timerkanov. The Orchestra performed on such unique venues of S.Petersburg as Yusupovsky Palace, Russian Museum, Count Sheremet’ev Palace, Russian National Library. The Orchestra is also repeatedly participate on Scandinavian Music Festival. In commemoration of 300^th Anniversary of foundation of S.Petersburg, the Orchestra gave a full-length concert in Composers’ House.

The Orchestra's repertoire consists of pieces of different genres. Along with traditionally-classical repertoire, the Orchestra has several programs of popular music: romances, arias and duets from classic operettas, songs, popular instrumental compositions. In particular favor of Novgorodian audience are pieces written by Astor Piazzolla, which the Orchestra performs together with well known soloists Yuri Serov (piano) and Sergey Il’in (guitar). A long time partner of the Orchestra is a talented Novgorod Philharmonic piano duet – Yelena Shumilova and Mikhail Kornoukhov.

One of the Orchestra's unique features is its close attention to contemporary music. The Orchestra is proud of its close relationships with such Russian composers as Efrem Podgaits, Yuri Krasavin, Grigori Korchmar, Vladimir Bibergan.

In April 2003 in S.Petersburg Composers' House the Orchestra gave a concert totally dedicated to these composers' pieces. For that concert the Orchestra was awarded a “Gratifying Letter” from Russian Union of Composers. A worldwide known composer Yuri Krasavin has created for the Orchestra “Novgorodian Concert for Four-Hand Piano" and dedicated it to Novgorodian musicians, and his orchestral piece “The Maze” is dedicated to the Orchestra’s art director Natalia Vinograodova.

Warm friendship ties the Orchestra to a Novgorodian composer Vladimir Korovitsin whose songs and romances are particularly appreciated by Novgorodian audience.

Season 2003/2004 is a jubilee one for the Orchestra. This year all the Orchestra’s activities are planned under the sign of its tenth anniversary. The Orchestra invites everyone to enjoy its jubilee concerts in which many performers who have been collaborating with the Orchestra for many years and are loved by Novgorodian audience will participate.

Novgorod Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra “Camerata Anima” is open for contacts.

Tel (81622-33734), e-mail: vinat@mail.natm.ru