Francophonia is how the 12th "Moscow Forum" International Festival for Contemporary Music is called, which is being organized by the Centre for Contemporary Music from 22 to 27 March in one of the best concert halls in Russia — the Rachmaninov Hall of the Conservatory. The mutual influence of Russian and French music has had a lengthy history. Claude Debussy spoke about the influence on him of the music of Moussorgsky, while back in his youth Igor Stravinsky had undergone the influence of Debussy. In his turn, Stravinsky exerted his influence upon several generations of French composers. In the second half of the 20th century the influence of Pierre Boulez on the musical language was apparent, whereas during the last decade the ideas of the French Spectralist composers have found a peculiar development in the music of a number of young Russian composers.

As part of the "Moscow Forum" festival we shall attempt not only to trace these historical lines of development, but also to open totally new connections. The festival's programmes will include performances of compositions by the leaders of the French and the Russian avant-garde trends of various generations — Pierre Boulez and Edison Denisov, Gerard Grisey and Andrei Volkonsky, Tristan Murail and Sophia Gubaidulina. Special emphasis in the festival's programmes will be made on the musical legacy of the Russian composers who emigrated after the revolution to France and exerted an influence on the development of French music — they include not only Igor Stravinsky, but composers who have been practically forgotten in their native land — Nicolai Oboukhov, Ivan Wyschnegradsky and Arthur Lourie. Of course, the festival will present a carte blanche for young Russian composers who will present their new works.

The festival's concerts shall include the participation of the well-known Moscow-based "Studio for New Music" ensemble, as well as guest musicians — the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain under the direction of Daniel Kawka, soloists, soprano, Donatienne Michel-Dansac, and percussionist Jean Geoffroy, the Centres for Electronic Music — GRAME, based in Lyon, and CIRM, based in Nice. The programme holds many surprises!