Summer is a good time to enjoy music outdoors. One such concert was recently held in Russia’s Kaluga region. The event was dedicated to an outstanding pianist of the 20th century, Svyatoslav Rikhter.

The Tarusa Music Festival was held at the country house which had been designed by Svyatoslav Rikhter himself. To get there musicians and the audience need to travel by ferry, but they say the destination was worth it, because of the very special atmosphere of the place.

“It is really amazing here! Before coming to the festival I saw this place only in pictures, but seeing it with my own eyes is even more exciting! It's a great pleasure to perform here, the sound seems to be very beautiful,” Misha Rakhlevsky, musician, explained.

And as the musicians enjoyed the atmosphere of the outdoor auditorium, they decided to play many different compositions, from various times, countries and styles, so the audience had a chance to listen to music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Piazzolla.

The festival's organisers say that interest in the life and work of Svyatoslav Rikhter is growing again, and not only in Russia, but also in other countries.

“When I was young everyone knew the name of Svyatoslav Rikhter. Then he was forgotten, even by students of music academies. And now we witness a new wave of interest in the pianist,” Elvira Orlova, festival organiser, said.

In his last letter, addressed to participants of the music festival, Svyatoslav Rikhter wrote: “I feel so sorry that I can't be present at the event because of poor health”.

Ten years have passed since his death, but the festival is still held every year to commemorate the great pianist.