The Yekaterinburg Section of the Imperial Russian Musical Society / Russian Musical Society (1912-1919)

The article sets the goal of ascertainment of the results of the activities in Yekaterinburg of the local section of the Imperial Russian Musical Society (IRMS), which existed in the city for seven years, part of which passed during the years of the revolution and the Civil War. The favorable conditions accompanying the emergence of the local section of the IRMS, stipulated by the longstanding activities of amateur musical-enlightening societies. The establishment of the first professional musical educational institution in the Urals region-the Musical College affiliated with the local section of the IRMS-is highlighted as the greatest achievement of the Society. The hardships of its functioning during the crossover period of Russian history (1917-1919) and the moments of critical situations brought in the danger of the shutting down of the Musical College. The merits of the members of the local section of the IRMS, who were able to establish and preserve this Musical College in Yekaterinburg, as well as the professional musicians, graduates of conservatories, who performed in concerts and were engaged in pedagogical work are disclosed. An evaluation is made of the College, created under the auspices of the IRMS, as the foundation for the establishment in Yekaterinburg (during the Soviet period-Sverdlovsk) of a higher musical educational institution-the Urals State M. P. Mussorgsky Conservatory.