MIKHAIL PLETNEV

One of the most brilliant musicians of our time, Mikhail Pletnev combines the extraordinary talents of pianist, conductor and composer. He was born in Arkhangelsk in a family of musicians.

In 1990, the musician's dream came true when he established the independent symphony orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra. Thanks to his musical reputation, the orchestra has attracted a large number of talented singers and instrumentalists. Since the founding of his Orchestra to 1999, M. Pletnev served as its artistic director, chief conductor and president of the RNO Fund. The orchestra has given many concerts at home: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Togliatti and other cities in the Volga region, in Voronezh, Vologda, and participated in many Russian music festivals. The team triumphantly toured the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia and has performed at major music centers of Europe.

Pletnev has developed his Orchestra into one of the best symphony orchestras in the world. The Russian National Orchestra has opened limitless possibilities for Pletnev as a conductor, allowing his conducting talent to blossom in full force. Maestro Pletnev has been invited to conduct many of the outstanding orchestras of the world – in Los Angeles and London, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and others.

At the peak of his fame and success in the late 1990's, Pletnev decided to resign as director and conductor of the Russian National Orchestra. He explained this serious step was necessary because administrative functions were consuming more of his time and he wanted to devote himself fully to his creative activities as a composer, pianist and conductor. Three years later, at the request of the orchestra, the maestro once again took charge of the RNO.

Mikhail Pletnev regularly gives concerts throughout Europe, Japan and the US. He is well-known in Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Copenhagen, Munich, Hamburg, Bonn, Brussels, Milan, Zurich, Basel, Geneva and other cities.

Mikhail Pletnev has received the title of People's Artist of Russia, the Order of Merit IV degree, the Presidential Prize of the Russian Federation, the State Prize of Russia, the independent Russian Triumph Prize, and the European Cultural Prize.