The masters of art and the art of diplomacy - in February 15th’s Historama.

Gnessin music school opening

A small private college of music was opened in Moscow on this day in 1895, which went on to become Russia's most famous musical institution.

The Gnessin music school had only 30 students when it was established by sisters Evgenia and Maria Gnessins who had recently graduated from the Moscow conservatory.

Yet it now comprises four schools and counts many internationally famous musicians as its graduates, including the recent Grammy award winning pianist Evgeny Kissin.

Soviet diplomat’s appointment as USSR's foreign minister

He was known in the West as Mister No.

Andrey Gromyko, the outstanding Soviet diplomat and expert negotiator, was appointed the USSR's foreign minister on this day in 1957.

Gromyko played a direct role in the Cuban Missile Crisis and met with US President Kennedy during the tensions.

He also helped negotiate arms limitations treaties, including the START agreements.

However, during the Gorbachev era his views were considered conservative and he was forced to retire in 1988.

Read more about Gromyko on Russiapedia

Premiere of Tchaikovsky's first symphony

Pyotr Tchaikovsky's first symphony, also called "Winter Daydreams", premiered on this day in 1868 in Moscow.

It was the first big piece for the then 26-year old composer who had just recently graduated from St Petersburg's State Conservatory.

He'd worked on it night and day for half a year and dedicated it to his mentor, and the founder of the Moscow Conservatory, Nikolay Rubenstein.

The music was inspired by visions of Russian nature and particularly by impressions of trips to Ladoga Lake and the waterfalls of Finland.

Read more about this day in Russian history on our Russia Now section