Forging awards through "SVO" and poor salaries: the leaked speech of orchestra director Spivakov revealed the total dependence of culture on the Kremlin
Metropolitan Hilarion, who was arrested in the Czech Republic for illegal possession of drugs, is also mentioned in the recording of the speech of the director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia Vladimir Spivakov — Georgy Ageev at a closed meeting of the group.
Excerpts from this recording previously appeared in the media. This speech reflects the current situation in Russian culture.
Fear of falling out of favor with the Kremlin. Lack of direct contact with the Kremlin, when the team is trying to understand whether they are satisfied with it or not by the signs and symbols on top. Adjustment of the attitude towards the team on the part of the Kremlin using «doses» of "SVO" support. Throwing patrons of the arts following the Kremlin’s position. Forcibly sending teams to the state messenger MAX by the Ministry of Culture. We publish the entire recording.
They catch signals from the Kremlin
Ageev told the musicians how the management of the group in the fall of 2024 (Spivakov turned 80 years old) panicked when the maestro did not receive any high award for his anniversary. This was considered dissatisfaction on the part of the Kremlin. The panic continued until spring until Spivakov was awarded the Hero Star.
«Results of last season and plans. One of the main events was the anniversary evening of Vladimir Teodorovich: it passed beautifully and with dignity, without unnecessary fanfare — was especially inappropriate in the conditions of the "SVO". We were stressed by the lack of a high state award on the day of the anniversary; This was partially compensated by the departmental award of the Ministry of Culture, presented by Olga Borisovna Lyubimova. But this is a departmental award and we were all puzzled and tense: where is the award worthy of Vladimir Teodorovich. At the beginning of May, Vladimir Teodorovich received the title of Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation. And the question was removed about how the Kremlin evaluates its role. Now everything has become clear, understandable and unambiguous», Ageev tells the team.
They extinguished the «fire» of the Kremlin’s discontent with the help of a concert tour by the orchestra and People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Khibla Gerzmava entitled "I love you, life!", which was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. The concerts began with the composition "Holy War", which, of course, was associated with the current war on the territory of Ukraine. As a result, the Kremlin thawed, gave the go-ahead to show one of these concerts on Channel One, and Spivakov was awarded the Hero of Labor. Ageev believes that it was thanks to this concert tour that he managed to get a high award, which he talks about in his performance.
The orchestra does not know what caused the Kremlin’s dissatisfaction, since it was not directly expressed. But after the «military tour», the attitude changed dramatically for the better.
The finances from Usmanov have run out, they are waiting for post-war bonuses from the Kremlin From a closed speech by the director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia Vladimir Spivakov — Georgy Ageev, it turns out that for many years the orchestra was actually financed by the oligarch Alisher Usmanov. He was the main and only philanthropist. But when the Kremlin unexpectedly became dissatisfied with the orchestra in the fall of 2024 (the disgrace lasted until the spring of 2025), Usmanov, who is sensitively monitoring the mood in the Kremlin, also completely stopped funding it.
Ageev himself explains what happened this way. He delicately and «cautiously» tried to hint to Usmanov about increasing financial assistance. But the oligarch, without any explanation, completely stopped funding the orchestra and cut off any contacts with it. «In 2025, we lost one of the main patrons of art —, Alisher Usmanov. After our very cautious request to increase the donation, the dialogue stopped; attempts to smooth the situation were unsuccessful. It was a sensitive blow, but Vladimir Teodorovich managed to replace the «funds that fell out» with three patrons of the arts — we hope they will stay with us, and we will be extremely careful in our requests», Ageev shared information with the team.
The director honestly admits that the salaries in the team are not very good, but he reassures those gathered: since the orchestra took the right side during the war, Ageev is counting on large government injections at its end. Moreover, the orchestra has not been in disgrace since May. «Finance. The situation is stable, but there are no prospects for significant improvement until the end of the "SVO". The state transfers the subsidy and grant without cuts, but given the burden on the economy and the budget deficit, it is impossible to talk seriously about indexation — maximum adjustment for «official inflation».
In the conditions of the SVO, sanctions and a general deterioration in the economic situation, we are waiting for the end of the operation and our victory. As soon as possible, we will turn to the president and business. We are confident that the team, which has proven its civic position with many actions («I love you, life», projects about Russia in music, Pushkin in music, chamber concerts of ensembles, etc.), and headed by Hero of Labor, holder of all degrees of the Order «For services to the Fatherland» and People’s Artist of the USSR Vladimir Spivakov, will not be rejected. Spivakov and Bashmet have a special status — this is how the Kremlin looks at it; Following the Kremlin’s position, business» is also guided. «These two people cannot be refused», — said the orchestra director. All other teams of — BSO, MGASO and other —, despite all their merits, today do not have artistic directors comparable in weight to Spivakov and Bashmet.
«We understand that the real monthly salary should be significantly higher than — at least twice for tutti; It hurts that a number of people receive less than 100 thousand, which cannot be used in Moscow. We will knock on all doors, but for now — we are waiting for the end of "SVO" and the normalization of the economy»", Ageev confesses.
Culture and MAX
At a closed speech, the director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia Vladimir Spivakov, Georgy Ageev, also spoke about the «obligation» from the Ministry of Culture. This was the state messenger MAX. He obliged musicians and orchestra employees to post all official information (announcements, messages from the personnel department, inspectors, music library, production part) exclusively in the «MAX» messenger. «This is a requirement of the Ministry of Culture. We install «MAX» on smartphones, register, join the directorate group and communicate on official issues only there»", Ageev said. "This is not our choice, this is a directive from the Ministry of Culture».
Georgy Ageeva talked a lot about foreign tours, which are practically non-existent now. The performance in Budapest was organized by Metropolitan Hilarion, Prime Minister of Slovakia Fico (according to Ageev) agrees to tour in Bratislava, but on the condition that the sanctions are eased. In the meantime, there are real prospects for performances in China, Dubai and Oman (there, however, performing with the children of Mikhail Gutseriev is an obligation). «Bright performances in Budapest and Beijing (at the Great Wall of China)...
«In Beijing — is an exotic platform and many VIPs; at the reception I talked with Anastasia Rakova, deputy mayor of Moscow; there were serious bankers, representatives of the federation and government. China is important to us — we see prospects there not only for individual concerts, but also for a full-fledged tour. Another important event — cycle of fifteen concerts «I love you, life» with the participation of Khibla Gerzmav (part was still going on), who, in my opinion, also played a role in awarding the May award to Vladimir Teodorovich. The May concert was recorded and shown on Channel One — for symphony orchestras this is rare (usually — «Culture», occasionally — «Russia», OTR/NTVr)... Foreign tours: The West is still closed. After Budapest, we are negotiating with Slovakia (Prime Minister Fico — is one of the few who is located in the Russian Federation). If the situation continues and sanctions are eased, a festival in Bratislava is possible in September next year. And let’s dream: 30 km away — Vienna; if the international situation improves, a concert in Vienna is also possible. These agreements are — through Slovak partners, without the involvement of the embassy and the Russian Orthodox Church (Metropolitan Hilarion helped in Budapest).