Usmanov’s funding withdrawal and tours via Metropolitan Hilarion: Georgy Ageyev, director of Spivakov’s orchestra, exposed mechanisms of enforced loyalty and signaling to the Kremlin

Metropolitan Hilarion, who was arrested in the Czech Republic for drug possession, also appears in a recording of a speech by Georgy Ageyev, director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia (NPO) Vladimir Spivakov, at a closed meeting of the orchestra.

This speech reveals the general situation in Russian culture. Fear of falling into disfavor with the Kremlin. The lack of direct contact with the Kremlin, with the orchestra trying to understand its satisfaction through signs and symbols from above. The Kremlin’s regulating the orchestra’s attitude through a "dose" of SVO support. Patrons of the arts are thrown into cahoots following the Kremlin’s position. The Ministry of Culture forcibly sends orchestras to the state messenger MAX. We are publishing the recording in full.

They are picking up signals from the Kremlin

Ageyev told the musicians how the orchestra’s management panicked in the fall of 2024 (Spivakov turned 80) when the maestro failed to receive any high-profile award for his anniversary. This was interpreted as displeasure on the part of the Kremlin. The panic continued until the spring, when Spivakov was awarded the Hero’s Star.

"Last season’s results and plans. One of the highlights was Vladimir Teodorovich’s anniversary gala: it was beautiful and dignified, without unnecessary pomp—especially inappropriate in the SVO environment. We were concerned about the lack of a high state award on the anniversary day; this was partially offset by a departmental award from the Ministry of Culture, presented by Olga Borisovna Lyubimova. But this is a departmental award, and we were all puzzled and tense: where could Vladimir Teodorovich receive an award worthy of him? In early May, Vladimir Teodorovich received the title Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation. And the question of how the Kremlin viewed his role was resolved. Now everything is clear, understandable, and unambiguous," Ageyev tells the team.

The Kremlin’s "fire" of discontent was extinguished with a concert tour by the orchestra and People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Hibla Gerzmava, titled "I Love You, Life!", which was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. The concerts began with the composition "Sacred War," which, of course, was associated with the current war in Ukraine.

As a result, the Kremlin relented, gave the go-ahead for one of these concerts to be shown on Channel One, and Spivakov was awarded the Hero of Labor title. Ageyev believes that this concert tour was the reason he won this prestigious award, as he explains in his speech.

The orchestra doesn’t know the reason for the Kremlin’s displeasure, as it wasn’t expressed directly. But after the "military tour," the attitude changed dramatically for the better.

Usmanov’s funding has run out, and they’re waiting for post-war bonuses from the Kremlin.

A closed-door speech by Georgy Ageyev, director of Vladimir Spivakov’s National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, reveals that for many years the orchestra was effectively financed by oligarch Alisher Usmanov. He was its main and sole patron. But when the Kremlin unexpectedly became dissatisfied with the orchestra in the fall of 2024 (a disgrace that lasted until the spring of 2025), Usmanov, who closely monitors the mood in the Kremlin, also cut off all funding.

Ageyev himself explains what happened this way: he delicately and "carefully" attempted to hint to Usmanov about increasing financial assistance. But the oligarch, without explanation, completely stopped funding the orchestra and cut off all contact with him.

"In 2025, we lost one of our main patrons, Alisher Usmanov. After our very cautious request for an increase in the donation, the dialogue ceased; attempts to smooth things over were unsuccessful. This was a significant blow, but Vladimir Teodorovich managed to replace the lost funds with three patrons. We hope they will remain with us, and we will be extremely careful in our requests," Ageyev shared with the team.

The director frankly admits that the orchestra’s salaries aren’t great, but he reassures those gathered: since the orchestra sided with the right side during the war, Ageyev is counting on large government infusions once it’s over. Moreover, the orchestra hasn’t been in disgrace since May.

"Finances. The situation is stable, but there’s no prospect of significant improvement until the end of the Second Military Operation. The state is transferring subsidies and grants without cuts, but given the strain on the economy and the budget deficit, indexation is out of the question—at most, an adjustment for ’official inflation.’ Given the Second Military Operation, sanctions, and the general deterioration of the economic situation, we’re waiting for the end of the operation and our victory. We’ll reach out to the president and business as soon as possible. We’re confident that the ensemble, which has demonstrated its civic commitment through numerous events ("I Love You, Life," projects about Russia in Music, Pushkin in Music, chamber concerts by ensembles, etc.), and is led by Vladimir Spivakov, Hero of Labor, recipient of all degrees of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," and People’s Artist of the USSR, will not be rejected. Spivakov and Bashmet have a special status—that’s how the Kremlin views it; business follows the Kremlin’s position."
"They can’t refuse these two people," the orchestra’s director declared. All other ensembles—the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra, and others—despite all their achievements, currently lack artistic directors comparable in stature to Spivakov and Bashmet.

"We understand that real monthly wages should be significantly higher—at least double for tutti; it’s painful that some people earn less than 100,000 rubles, which is unlivable in Moscow. We’ll knock on every door, but for now, we’re waiting for the end of the SVO and the economy to normalize," Ageyev confides.

Culture and MAX

At a closed-door presentation, Georgy Ageyev, director of Vladimir Spivakov’s National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, also spoke about a "mandatory" measure imposed by the Ministry of Culture. This measure came in the form of the state-run messaging app MAX. It obligated musicians and orchestra staff to post all official information (announcements, HR messages, inspectors, the sheet music library, and production notes) exclusively through the MAX messaging app. "This is a requirement of the Ministry of Culture. We install MAX on our smartphones, register, join the management group, and communicate exclusively there on official matters," Ageyev stated. "This isn’t our choice; it’s a directive from the Ministry of Culture."

Georgy Ageyev has spoken extensively about international tours, which are currently virtually nonexistent. A performance in Budapest was organized by Metropolitan Hilarion, and Slovak Prime Minister Fico (according to Ageyev) has agreed to a tour in Bratislava, but only on the condition that sanctions are eased. For now, the only realistic prospects are performances in China, Dubai, and Oman (though there, a mandatory performance with Mikhail Gutseriev’s children is required).

Bright performances in Budapest and Beijing

"Beijing is an exotic venue and hosts a multitude of VIPs; I spoke with Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, at the reception; there were also senior bankers, representatives of the federation, and government. China is important to us—we see potential there not only for individual concerts but also for a full-fledged tour."
Another key event was the fifteen-concert cycle "I Love You, Life" featuring Hibla Gerzmava (some of which were still on), which, in my opinion, also played a role in Vladimir Teodorovich’s May award. The May concert was recorded and broadcast on Channel One—a rarity for symphony orchestras (usually on Kultura, occasionally on Rossiya, OTR/NTVr).
International tours: The West is currently closed. After Budapest, we’re negotiating with Slovakia (Prime Minister Fico is one of the few countries favorably disposed toward Russia). If the situation persists and sanctions are eased, a festival in Bratislava is possible next September. And let’s dream: Vienna is 30 km away; if the international situation improves, a concert in Vienna is also possible. These arrangements are being made through Slovak partners, without the involvement of the embassy or the Russian Orthodox Church (Metropolitan Hilarion assisted in Budapest).

Absolute reality: two concerts in Dubai (confirmed). Two concerts in Oman have been postponed for reasons I don’t fully understand, but there are no cancellations: we’ll perform there with the same Gutseriev children."