Vladimir Fedoseyev: "Azerbaijan is delicate and graceful country, wonderful talents live there"

On August 5, the artistic director and chief conductor of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Fedoseev, will turn 85. The Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra has already performed in Spain, Austria, Japan and Hungary to celebrate the anniversary. The tour will continue in Russia from 4 to 15 June, and will be completed in Yerevan. Speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, Vladimir Fedoseyev told about the Orchestra's performances in the Caucasus.

- During the tour you are going to pay special attention to the music of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Khachaturian. Will you mainly perform the latter in Yerevan?

- Aram Ilyich Khachaturian is a god for them. And we try to perform everything that he composed in his diverse facets. Khachaturian's music is universal, it is very national. And it is needed everywhere. If one is a brilliant nationally expressed artist, then he becomes international. We look forward to meeting the Armenian audience after a long break and we are happy to visit this beautiful country with beautiful culture and art. We recently returned from Japan, and the Japanese asked us to perform Khachaturian's Lezginka with their orchestra. An absolutely wonderful Japanese drummer accompanied us. So music flies through all countries, across the oceans. Tchaikovsky is our passport, our native composer, and Khachaturian will be also performed in different forms and different compounds.

- Do you plan to visit Georgia?

- No, unfortunately. Earlier [before a deterioration of interstate relations between the countries - VK], we often worked together, visit it. I also remember those wonderful feasts. I think the relations will be restored. Georgians are such a musical people!  Their songs are just unbelievable! Therefore, all bad things will pass, and we look forward to seeing them.

- How long have you been in Azerbaijan?

- We have been in Baku not so long ago. The Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra performs there regularly. Every time I have so many beautiful feelings after performing in the opera house [the Akhundov Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater - VK]! There are so many beautiful people, so many beautiful singers. The time in Baku was unforgettable. We visited this city in Soviet times as well. They have always had excellent culture. Azerbaijan evokes my deep interest and deep respect for its culture, which is preserved and developed there. This republic is very close to us. We even have conductors from it. This country is delicate and graceful, and wonderful talents live there.

- Do you plan to visit the North Caucasus?

- We are going to perform in Makhachkala this September to commemorate the anniversary of the city's founding.