The large-scale educational project “Voice of Music. Academy of Young Conductors,” conceived as a creative bridge between Salzburg and Yaroslavl, has once again come to life in Russia. Following a forced pause, the legendary project has returned with the support of the Sochi Dialogue Forum, bringing together the traditions of the Viennese classical school and the energy of a new generation of Russian musicians.

True art cannot simply be put “on pause.” In late April, Yaroslavl was transformed into a genuine “creative laboratory” under the guidance of Austrian maestro Wolfgang Scheidt. Professor Scheidt’s experience is truly unique: he served as an assistant to some of the greatest conductors of the 20th century — Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan. This invaluable expertise he passed on to 15 of the most talented young conductors from across Russia, selected to take part in the Academy.

At the heart of the Voice of Music project were not dry academic lectures, but a living dialogue and the passing on of knowledge through hands-on mentorship.” The maestro’s dedication to his art became a powerful example of true professionalism for the students: neither long hours of travel nor health concerns stood in the way of his journey to Yaroslavl.

The Academy’s program was rich and eventful, with each stage bringing participants closer to understanding the “magic” of working with an orchestra:

• First steps: The project opened with a series of masterclasses, where students immersed themselves in both the theory and practice of the Viennese performance tradition.

• Working with the orchestra: On the second and third days, the Yaroslavl Governor’s Symphony Orchestra became a platform for practical trainings. Under the careful guidance of Wolfgang Scheidt, young conductors worked on Fritz Reiner’s Symphony No. 1 and a cornerstone of German classical music — Symphony No. 7 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

• Attention to detail: Rehearsals were accompanied by in-depth discussions, during which the maestro shared professional insights and personal experiences from working on the world’s leading stages.

The culmination of the project came on April 24 with a major concert at the Yaroslavl Academic Philharmonic, dedicated to the works of Ludwig van Beethoven. The program featured the Overture to the ballet The Creatures of Prometheus, Symphony No. 1, and the monumental Symphony No. 7.

Opening the evening, Daria Kozlova, Deputy Director of the Sochi Dialogue Forum, delivered a message from Presidential Aide and Forum Co-Chairman Andrey Fursenko:

“In today’s context, the development of cultural diplomacy is of particular importance. Music is a universal language that allows us to hear and understand one another without the need for translation.”

For the students, performing with the Governor’s Symphony Orchestra was a true step onto the big stage, while for the audience it was a vivid demonstration of how Viennese traditions come to life in the hands of young Russian talents.

The project concluded on April 25 with a final masterclass, where participants were given a unique opportunity to take the conductor’s podium themselves. Timur Nanikov, a student of the Petrozavodsk State Conservatory and a participant in the program, shared his impressions:

“This was an absolutely unique experience of working with an orchestra — understanding how the magic between the conductor and the musicians happens, how they connect and understand one another.”

Voice of Music once again proved that when professionals from different countries come together in the name of art, borders disappear. We would like to thank Yaroslavl for its warm welcome and the truly inspiring atmosphere of creative collaboration.

• RU:  «Голос музыки»: возрождение музыкального моста между Россией и Австрией
• DE:  „Die Stimme der Musik“: Die Wiederbelebung der musikalischen Brücke zwischen Wien und Jaroslawl