YURI BASHMET

Russian violist and conductor Yuri Bashmet is the artistic director and chief conductor of the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra and the artistic director, conductor and soloist of the Moscow Soloists chamber ensemble.

He is a unique and colorful personality in the modern music world, his performances always in the Russian and international spotlight. Yuri Bashmet is one of the few contemporary musicians who have received worldwide recognition and credibility. He received second prize at the International Viola Competition in Budapest (1975) while still a conservatory student and the Grand Prix at Viola Competition in Munich (1976). Even in his early years he was talked about as a phenomenally gifted artist.

Yuri Bashmet has pioneered solo viola concerts at such venues as Carnegie Hall (New York), La Scala (Milan), the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, the Barbican (London), the Great Hall of the Conservatory in Moscow and the Great Hall of the Philharmonic Society in St. Petersburg.

In 1985 he made his performance debut as a conductor, confirming his brilliant reputation as a courageous contemporary performing artist unafraid to take risks.

His programs typically blend the music of different eras and styles. Modern composers write and dedicate their works especially for him – this list comprises over 50 viola concertos and other works. His vast repertoire includes works the execution of which have been recognized as unsurpassed in the history of the performing arts.

Today, Bashmet performs at the best concert halls of Europe, the US, Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

In 1980 Bashmet conducted master classes in Japan, Europe, America and Hong Kong as well as teaching students in Italy and France. Among his students are many winners of international competitions, playing in major orchestras around the world.

Bashmet has received wide recognition for his talent, including the title of Honored Artist of Russia (1983), People's Artist of the USSR (1991), USSR State Prize Laureate (1986), Russian State Prize laureate (1993, 1995, 2000), and the winner of the “Award-1993” – for the best musician-instrumentalist of the year as well as the title of Honorary Academician of the London Academy of Arts.

From the book LIFE MUSIC by Alexandra Kremer-Khomasuridze:

“I know why I'm a musician. Because my father would always come home from work singing - he had a beautiful voice, but he had problems with rhythm because he was not a musician ... On the other hand, it wasn't his fault. My mother once met me when I came home from school - I was eight years old. I suddenly realized that she was seriously asking me whether or not I wanted to play the violin. Her thinking was so that a child didn't become a bandit, he had to get involved in something. The cheapest solution was to buy a violin. For 7 rubles. I couldn't say no. I was a very good son. We came home and there on the table laid a violin. I was terrified that she just went out and bought it!”