A Tribute to the Master

Georgy Strautman’s (1939–2007) artistic career was closely linked to the Mariinsky Theatre (formerly the Kirov Theatre). In 1961, he graduated from the Leningrad Conservatoire (class of trombonist Akim Kozlov, the Mravinsky Orchestra’s soloist for more than 50 years). He went on to join the Kirov Theatre as a stage band musician, while in 1969 he was accepted into the trombone group of the main orchestra. From 1989 and until the end of his life, Georgy Strautman was at the helm of the theatre’s stage band.

Strautman has composed many études for brass ensembles, as well as original works, rearrangements and orchestrations for wind ensembles and orchestras. Almost all of the excerpts featuring a stage wind band in operas currently performed at the Mariinsky Theatre are Strautman’s versions. In 2001, Georgy Strautman was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Russia.

Strautman taught classes at the St Petersburg Mussorgsky College of Music, and then at the Specialised Middle School of the St Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatoire. His students include many trombonists of Russian orchestras, including those musicians who are currently a part of the Mariinsky Theatre’s company. Strautman’s students will take part in the concert marking 80 years since his birth.