The history of the beautiful mansion began in the XVIII century. It was designed by architect B. Rastrelli.  Balls and masquerades took place here regularly. The first Russian Philharmonic Society gave its concerts in this hall.

The world premieres of Haydn's oratorio The Creation (1802) and Beethoven`s Missa Solemnis (1824) occured in this hall.

The Small Hall has a rich history of concerts. True stars of world music have given concerts in this Hall: Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Glenn Gould,  Vladimir  Ashkenazy, Stanislav and Heinrich Neuhaus, Grigory Sokolov, Eliso Virsaladze, Mstislav Rostropovich, David  Oistrakh,  Yuri Bashmet, Viktor Tretiakov, Natalia Gutman, Katia Ricciarelli, Elena Obraztsova, Olga Borodina, Ljubov Kazarnovskaya, Sergei Leiferkus,  Yevgeny  Nesterenko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Vladimir Chernov, Gustav Leonhardt, Vadim Repin and wonderful chamber orchestras.

Premiers of works by Shostakovich, Sviridov, Shchedrin, Petrov, Tishchenko and Slonimsky have taken place in the Small Hall. Many International festivals and competitions are organized in this hall.  Listeners and musicians of all ages appreciate the ambience of the Small Hall.