Concert Hall named after P.I. Tchaikovsky

1939: Building transferred to Moscow Philharmonic

In 1939, the unfinished building of the Meyerhold Theater was transferred to the Moscow Philharmonic for conversion into a concert hall, named after P.I. Tchaikovsky. At the same time, the author of the project, Vsevolod Meyerhold, was arrested, and in 1940 (six months before the opening of the hall), shot.

1938: Construction stoppage in connection with the liquidation of the Meyerhold Theater and the opening of the Mayakovskaya metro station

By 1937, the frame of the building was almost completely erected, but in January 1938 the construction was stopped in connection with the order to liquidate the Meyerhold Theater.

In 1938, the Mayakovskaya metro station was opened in the corner of the building, built according to the project of A. Dushkin.

1933: Continuation of construction and competition for the facade of the theater building

By 1933, it was possible to build the most basic: a huge reinforced concrete elliptical hall appeared inside the old walls, the steps of a large amphitheater were built in concrete, a playground with two circles and a hold were made. The hall was blocked, overhead lights were arranged, a foyer and stairs were built. Two floors of half-rings of artistic and latrines were made on the back wall of the hall. In the same year, an architectural competition is announced for the facade of the Meyerhold Theater. Further work was transferred to the architect A. Shchusev, and then to D. Chechulin and K. Orlov. At that time, the stylistic focus of Soviet architecture turned from constructivism towards classical forms. Shchusev proposed erecting a rectangular tower with Art Deco elements on the corner of the building and decorating the facade with diamond-shaped ornaments. It was on this option that Chechulin later relied on, who was entrusted with the execution of the final design.

One of the projects of the building was noted in Soviet philatelic materials (1937)

1930: Building redevelopment project

Vsevolod Meyerhold planned to reconstruct the building on Triumfalnaya Square and turn it into the largest and most modern theater in Moscow. The design of the theater building was prepared by architects Sergei Vakhtangov, the son of Yevgeny Vakhtangov, and Mikhail Barkhin. The 1930 project included a roof-dome, a glass ceiling and a transformable stage consisting of two movable circles. Meyerhold's main idea was to create a common stage space and auditorium. In 1931, a second option was presented, a more radical one, where the new building was considered only with the dimensions of the site.

1927

Director, innovator, actor - Meyerhold tried different approaches: the abolition of all curtains, the "undressed" stage - moving shields - sounding design with bamboo poles - prose - historically accurate costume and scenery.

Poster of the W. E. Meyerhold Theater

{{quote 'author = says Lyudmila Filippova' He was accurate and categorical in his productions, chose the most expressive elements. So, he conveyed the rhythm of the civil war through the crackle of a car and a motorcycle rushing around the auditorium. During the NEP years, he fought against philistinism, ridiculing adaptability, careerism and soullessness. He staged plays by Mayakovsky, Erdman, Selvinsky, Vishnevsky, Fayko, German, Olesha. He also staged classics, while he could arbitrarily edit the text, trying to create stage works that ridicule the bourgeois-capitalist way of life, }}

1923: Meyerhold's play "Earth on End" with dedication to Leon Trotsky

Vsevolod Meyerhold, releasing the play "Earth on End" for the fifth anniversary of the creation of the Red Army, solemnly dedicated the creation, first of all, to "The First Red Army Soldier of the RSFSR Lev Trotsky." In 1923, such a dedication did not surprise anyone.

Poster "Earth on End," 1921 Bakhrushinsky Museum

"Earth on End," 1921 Bakhrushinsky Museum

"Earth on End," 1921 Bakhrushinsky Museum

1922: Building transferred to Meyerhold Theatre

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Buff Miniature Theater was located on the site of the concert hall, then the Zone light genre theater ―. In 1913, directly opposite the theater building, one of the first Moscow cinemas was opened - the Khanzhonkov House, later the famous Moscow cinema. Nearby, on the site of the modern Theater of Satire, is the popular Circus of the Nikitin Brothers, then the Music Hall.

After the revolution in 1922, the building was transferred to the Vsevolod Meyerhold State Theater. For ten years, Meyerhold's famous performances were held here: "Mystery Buff" by Vladimir Mayakovsky, "The Inspector General," "Woe to the Mind" (based on the comedy by Alexander Griboedov "Woe from Wit") and others. In 1932, he moved to the premises where the Maria Ermolova Drama Theater is currently located.

1920: Vsevolod Meyerhold creates "RSFSR-1 Theater"

The RSFSR-1 Theater was created by Vsevolod Meyerhold in Moscow in 1920 (Meyerhold Theater since 1923).