The Odessa Regional Philharmonic takes a worthy place among the most significant concert organizations of Ukraine. Every year it introduces its listeners to the works of world music culture, to the brightest creations of modern Ukrainian and world music scene.
This architectural masterpiece was the result of a worldwide competition organized by the authorities of Odessa, who intended to build a new building for the stock exchange at the end of the XIX century and thus celebrate the centenary of the city.
The building of the Odessa Philharmonic Society is recognized as a unique architectural and historical monument, it is truly unique — even prominent experts after its construction could not give an unambiguous definition of the architectural style in which it is made.
To see the building of the Odessa Philharmonic Society or the former New Exchange, located at 15 Bunina Street, everyone who comes on vacation to Odessa is eager to see it, because there is no second such building anywhere in the world, although sometimes it is compared to the Venetian Palazzo Ducale, there are a lot of differences.
The construction of the building according to the project of the Viennese architect V.I. Prohaska, who won the competition, under the guidance and «editing» of A.I. Bernadazzi was completed in 5 years in 1899. The image of versatile, but harmonious in its diversity architectural Odessa was enriched with one more unique construction, one more «highlight», which was appreciated by both guests and residents of the city. The building of the former New Stock Exchange is repeatedly mentioned in literary works, essays and notes by such writers and outstanding personalities as L. Utesov, I. Ilf and E. Petrov, K. Chukovsky. Petrov, K. Chukovsky and many others. Chukovsky’s description was recognized as the most accurate: «a stock exchange in the Moorish style».
Prohaska and Bernadazzi’s joint creation was attributed both to the Florentine Renaissance and to Italian, Venetian Gothic with Renaissance elements, but in the end its architectural style was recognized as neo-Gothic.
The majestic and romantic building with huge windows and granite foundation higher than human height has been decorating the corner of Pushkinskaya and Bunin since its construction. Its walls are decorated in yellowish-brownish tones, and the high foundation and decorative elements are in gray and white shades — the original look of the former Novaya Exchange has survived to this day. Giant windows are decorated with graceful twisted columns. The exterior decoration of the windows was entrusted to M. Molinari, an outstanding sculptor, a master of his craft, who decorated them with colored stained glass, as well as ornaments and intricate patterns made of Carrara marble, enhancing a certain chivalric romanticism.
A white marble staircase leads to the front entrance directly from the street — it takes visitors up to the two-story lobby, which is just as colossal as the staircase. The building of the Odessa Philharmonic is as majestic and beautiful inside as outside. The walls of the lobby are decorated with paintings by St. Petersburg artist Karazin and Cassioli, a painter from Florence. The canvases depict scenes from different epochs of mankind related to trade, agriculture, industry and the history of Russia’s trade relations.
Since 1946 the building has housed the Odessa Philharmonic Hall. One of the reasons for this was the amazing acoustics of the large (concert) hall — it has a good overall sound conductivity, but it is impossible to hear what the neighbors say. This nuance was specially thought out by the architects so that traders on the stock exchange could not hear those sitting next to them. The concert hall is amazingly beautiful: the ceiling is made of Lebanese cedar without a single nail, it is gilded and painted with beautiful patterns. With a capacity of 1,050 seats, this concert hall is recognized as one of the best in Europe.
L. Mogilevsky and F. Liszt, D. Oistrakh and M. Rostropovich, and many other famous composers, conductors and performers gave concerts here.
In gratitude for the creation of this amazing landmark of Odessa in 1900, a bust of Bernadazzi was installed to the left of the grand staircase, and to the right and left of it in marble columns engraved the names of all those who were involved in the construction. Odessa residents are proud of this building, and guests of the city want to come back here again and again to see the amazingly beautiful Odessa Philharmonic building once more.
The Philharmonic’s creative team is multifaceted and diverse. Here work performers of many artistic roles — soloists, concertmasters, masters of spoken genre, artists of chamber orchestra and chamber ensembles, lecturers-musicologists. This allows to create creative projects and interesting musical and educational programs. A special place in the Philharmonic’s work is given to the education of the younger generation, with musical subscriptions and Sunday concerts for children organized for this purpose.
A large number of concerts are held in cities and villages of Odessa region and beyond.
Every year the Philharmonic performers prepare new programs of great aesthetic and cultural value, be it literary evenings, concerts of piano, symphonic music, folklore programs or pop concerts. Regularly updated repertoire allows listeners to familiarize themselves with works of classical and contemporary art that reflect the spirit, rhythm and character of our time.
The Philharmonic is the main concert organization of the city. To preserve and develop the best traditions of musical culture — this is its Great Mission.
We look forward to seeing you at our concerts!