№ 353/кор. 125th Anniversary of the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music

The Gnesins musical educational institutions, prior to their separation into a school, a college and an academy (institute), date their history back to February 15 (27), 1895. The date is related to opening of a private music school founded by the three Gnesin sisters: Eugenia, Maria and Elena.

The construction of the major building commenced in 1937, interrupted during the war and recommenced in 1943. The chief part of the Academy was built in 1946 to become the first building constructed in Moscow purposefully for a higher school. In March 1944, the Soviet Government adopted a Decree establishing the Gnesins State Musical and Pedagogical Institute. In 1946, a special ten-year music school affiliated to the Institute was opened, and a complex of four educational institutions was formed comprising an institute, a college, a special school and a seven-year children’s school. In after years, the institute occupied the entire building, and other Gnesins educational institutions received separate buildings. In 1950, the educational building of the Institute (Academy) was enlarged, and in 1958, a concert hall was added to it.

The irreplaceable head of the Institute for life was Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Professor Elena F. Gnesina (in 1944-1953, she held the post of the Director, and in 1953-1967, that of the artistic managing director; in 1944-1958 she also headed the special piano department)

The institute quickly earned a reputation of one of the largest musical and educational centers in the country, along with the Moscow and Leningrad (Petersburg) Conservatories. The number of faculties was constantly increasing. In 1961, a branch (educational advisory center at the extension department) of the institute opened in Ufa. By the turn of the 1980s - 1990s, the Gnesins State Musical and Pedagogical Institute became the major musical and educational center in Russia. Therefore, the transformation of the institute into the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music in 1992 was fairly justified and it was for the first time in this country that a music university received such a status. In 2002, a new branch of the Academy opened in Khanty-Mansiysk.

The envelope with a commemorative stamp provides images of the official logo on the stamp and of the chief building of the Academy on the central image.