2016-09-14
The Head of the House of Romanoff Sends Her Greetings to the Moscow State Conservatory of Music on its 150th Anniversary

GREETINGS
from the Head of the Russian Imperial House,
Her Imperial Highness The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia,
to the Moscow State Conservatory of Music on its 150th Anniversary

To the Chancellor of the Moscow State Conservatory of Music,
Alexander Sergeevich Sokolov

Dear Alexander Sergeevich,

I send my heartfelt congratulations to you and to all the faculty and students of the Moscow State Conservatory of Music on its 150th Anniversary.

On December 24, 1865, on Christmas Eve, my ancestor, Emperor Alexander II the Tsar-Liberator approved the founding in Moscow of a new music conservatory.

The initiative in the founding the Conservatory was assumed by the great Russian pianist and conductor, Nikolai Grigorievich Rubinstein and the famous patron of the arts and philanthropist Prince Nikolai Petrovich Trubetskoi.

A vitally important contribution to the founding of the Moscow State Conservatory was also made by Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, who was the patron of the Russian Musical Society.

The Conservatory opened its doors on September 1, 1866, and in the years that followed trained a host of the most talented musicians and conductors for Russia and the entire world.

The Moscow State Conservatory has always carefully preserved its glorious traditions, high level of professionalism, and resolute commitment to the nation and its culture. In recent years, a new and expanded level of collaboration on a range of historical endeavors has come to characterize the relationship between the Moscow State Conservatory and the Russian Orthodox Church, the Russian Imperial House, and other historical institutions in the country.

I wish you, your colleagues, and your students inspiration, artistic success, and God’s help in your service to the nation.

My son and heir, Grand Duke George, also sends his greetings to you all.

Assuring you, dear Alexander Sergeevich, of our warmest regards and deepest respect, I remain, sincerely yours,

[The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand.]

MARIA

Madrid, September 1/14, 2016