In early September, the Central Naval Museum named after Emperor Peter the Great will open an exhibition entitled "Music and the Navy" in the spaces of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg. The exhibition was organized with the participation of the State Russian Museum, the Russian State Archive of Film, Photo and Audio Documents, the Central State Archive of Film, Photo and Audio Documents, and the Russian State Archive of the Navy.
Music in the navy not only disciplines sailors, but also serves as a means of raising morale and fighting spirit. The playing of naval bands accompanying solemn ceremonies reflects the splendor and grandeur of the Russian Navy.
Music has been an integral part of military culture since the fleet was founded in 1696. During the reign of Peter I, the main functions of military musicians were finally established: playing during marches, campaigns, training exercises, battles, as well as reviews and parades. The exhibition "Music and the Navy" features models of the yacht "Polar Star," the cruiser of the 1st rank "Aurora" (1900), and the missile cruiser of project 58 type "Grozny." Orchestras served on these ships, and concerts were held there.
Alongside them are magnificent watercolors from the Album of Drawings and Photographs of the Guards Crew depicting musicians, authentic musical instruments, pre-revolutionary editions of sheet music, and documents belonging to orchestra members. Visitors can also see a portrait of a clarinetist by A. V. Makovsky from the collection of the State Russian Museum, and paintings by Y. E. Sivachev, "Orchestra Performance on the Cruiser Moscow," from the collection of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Western Military District.