Rachmaninov Hall is the oldest and, at the same time, the newest concert hall of the Moscow Conservatory.
It is housed in the Conservatory’s Third Academic Building, which was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century. By decision of the Conservatory’s Academic Council in 2006, the Third Academic Building was named in honor of the composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninov.
Originally an ecclesiastical school, the building served from 1886 to 1918 as the Synodal Singing College, for which a hall, with excellent acoustics, was annexed to it in 1898.
In 1968, the building became a part of the Conservatory. After many years of restoration, its hall, decorated in white and blue, was finally re-opened in 1983, with a recital by the great Soviet pianist Sviatoslav Richter.
At the end of 1986, the hall was named in honor of Sergei Rachmaninov, a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory whose early life was closely connected with the Synodal College.
Many chamber and choral concerts take place there and both early and contemporary music are often to be heard within its walls. Its bright atmosphere and very special acoustic qualities are greatly appreciated by listeners.
