<<  -- 2 --  Howard Smith    STOLEN PROPERTY

Melodiya vacated the building and the basement of the Church, while still not ruled by any laws whatsoever, was occupied once more; first of all workmen used it for storage space. Finally charitable organizations were admitted under the aegis of the church and eventually two rooms were given as rehearsal quarters to the orchestra, Ensemble XXI Moscow.

There were no contracts and occupants came to an oral agreement with the Pastor Simon Stephens. This loose arrangement flew in the face of Russian law, yet how could one not assist people involved in charitable and artistic activities?

Ensemble XXI Moscow had been founded against the odds while infant democratic principles struggled for acceptance across the land. It was brought into being by two Moscow Conservatory graduates; Irish/New Zealand artistic director, Lygia O'Riordan, and Finnish concertmaster, Pia Siirala.

For the first time on Russian soil string players were from many lands; viz; Vietnam, Cuba, South America and local Russians. All were united by their love of music-making and EXXIM toured from beyond the Arctic Circle, the western borders, and as far away as Sakhalin on Russia's Pacific coast. Foreign tours including Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Hungary and Australia have solidified the reputation of this young ensemble; the first international ensemble in Russia. Nonetheless, as it's not classified a state orchestra, EXXIM has experienced great difficulties in matters of rehearsal space.

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