VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV 

Vladimir Spivakov is a world-famous violinist and conductor, philanthropist and a prominent public figure. By the time he finished training at the Moscow Conservatory in 1967, Vladimir Spivakov has already become a promising solo violinist. His skill was proven at that time by a number of awards and honors in international competitions.

In 1975, after triumphant solo performances in the U.S., Spivakov began his brilliant international career. Maestro Spivakov constantly performs as a soloist with leading symphony orchestras. Among them the philharmonic orchestras in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, London and New York, the Concertgebouw orchestra in the Netherlands, the symphony orchestras in Paris, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Cleveland all directed by the eminent conductors of our time: Evgeny Svetlanov, Yuri Temirkanov , M. Rostropovich, L. Bernstein, S. Ozawa, L. Maazel, Claudio Abbado and others.

Since 1997, the maestro plays an instrument made by Antonio Stradivari given to him by grateful patrons.

In 1979, Vladimir Spivakov, together with a group of like-minded musicians, established the Moscow Virtuosos chamber orchestra and became its permanent director, chief conductor and soloist. The birth of this famous orchestra was preceded by serious long-term preparations and training in orchestral conducting with the celebrated Professor Israel Guzman and the great conductors Lorin Maazel and Leonard Bernstein in the U.S. After his training was complete, Bernstein gave Spivakov his baton, blessing the talented musician. Spivakov is never separated from that gift.

The Moscow Virtuosos have toured almost all major cities of the former Soviet Union, repeatedly gone on tours in Europe, the U.S. and Japan and have participated in the most famous international music festivals. Spivakov also performs at major concert halls worldwide with leading international orchestras, including those in London, Chicago, Philadelphia and Cleveland, the Budapest Symphony Orchestras, the La Scala Theater Orchestra, the Academy of Santa Chechilliya, the Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra, Radio France and Russia's finest orchestras.

Since 1999, along with managing the State Chamber Orchestra Moscow Virtuosos, Vladimir Spivakov has been the artistic director and principal conductor of the Russian National Orchestra, and still later of the National Philharmonic of Russia.

Vladimir Spivakov received the title of People's Artist of USSR, was awarded the State Prize of the USSR and the Order of Friendship of Nations. A minor planet has been named after him. For his contribution to the development of global music, Vladimir Spivakov has received the highest state awards in a number of countries: the Order of Officer of Arts and Belles Letters (France), the Order of St. Mashtots (Armenia), the Order of Merit, 3rd degree (Russia) and the Order of the Legion of Honor (France).