The Documentary Film “Sivukhin”

Twenty-four years ago we lost a well-known Nizhny Novgorodian, a unique musician and teacher who did much for the development of choral art in our city, Honoured Art Worker of the RSFSR, People’s Artist of Russia, Honorary Citizen of Nizhny Novgorod Lev Konstantinovich Sivukhin.

The documentary film “Sivukhin” was made by graduates of the class of Professor L. K. Sivukhin of the Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory (idea and producer: Vasily Nikitin; screenwriter and director: Sergei Voronin) for his 90th birthday. The film was first shown in Nizhny Novgorod in the cinema hall of the “Nebo” shopping centre on the eve of Lev Konstantinovich’s birthday in May this year and made a strong impression on everyone who saw it. A repeat screening took place on the maestro’s memorial day, 11 December 2025. Staff and students of the L. K. Sivukhin Nizhny Novgorod Choir College and the city’s creative intelligentsia were invited to view it at the art space “Kinofaktura”. The film left none of those who came indifferent.

And how could it be otherwise? A documentary narrative based on archive materials and numerous photographs, and on the recollections of Lev Konstantinovich’s daughter, colleagues and pupils (now well-known Russian musicians, conductors and choirmasters), it not only presented to viewers an astonishing man, handsome and spiritual, a talented teacher wholly devoted to raising and nurturing young gifted musicians and singers. And most importantly, it told of his selfless work, his utmost dedication to the cause he loved: preserving and developing the national traditions of choral singing.

The inspired creative and teaching activity of Lev Konstantinovich Sivukhin lasted more than half a century. The result? An innumerable multitude of pupils who remember, love and respect him and carry on his work; the college (the former boys’ choir chapel) that bears his name; his own programme “Organisation and Methods of Working with a Boys’ Choir”; the musical works he composed, which have enriched and added to the repertoire of Russian choral collectives.

A low bow and sincere thanks to everyone who worked on the creation of the documentary film with the short title, so meaningful to all who remember this unique man, “Sivukhin”. For the overriding aim of this laborious work is the intention that Lev Konstantinovich Sivukhin be remembered, and that his work be known, not only by his contemporaries but by subsequent generations of fellow countrymen and Russians in general.

Irina NIKITINA.