| Vladimir Spivakov is famous in Russia as one of the eminent violinists, the founder and conductor of "Moscow virtuosi" chamber orchestra and as a new Principal conductor and Music Director of Russian National Orchestra, established by Mikhail Pletnev. Spivakov is world famous for his brilliant performances as recitalist, guest soloist and guest conductor of leading orchestras throughout the world and for his humanistic activities. He played with a great number of orchestras, under Bernstein, Solti, Ozawa, Maazel, Abbado, Giulini.
Maestro Spivakov started his music career as a student of Yuri Yankelevich at the Moscow Conservatory. While still in his 20-ties, Vladimir Spivakov won prizes in several competitions, as Gene Paganini Competition, Montreal International and Tchaikovsky Competition. In 1979, Soon after his debut as a conductor with Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Ravinia music festival, Spivakov founded "Moscow Virtuosi" chamber orchestra, which quickly became one of the world leading chamber orchestras. Moscow Virtuosi, group originally made of Russia's international prize winners, very rapidly gained a sound international reputation, giving more than 120 concerts a year throughout the world.
In 1989 Mr. Spivakov was appointed as Artistic Director of the Colmar International Festival in France, which has since become one of Europe's leading music festivals.
In May 1994 Maestro established the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation to support young talented musicians, painters and dancers in Russia. Since its inception 500 young musicians have received support, in a form of musical instruments, art supplies and ballet equipment in addition to receiving an academic education. The Spivakov Project also provides medical care for critically ill children and wheelchairs for disabled young people.. He has worked on behalf of victims of the Stalin regime and children who suffered from the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.
Mr. Spivakov has made more than 20 recordings for the BMG/RCA Red Seal label of works ranging from Bach, Haydn and Mozart to Shostakovich, Schnittke and Shchedrin. Also for RCA Red Seal, he has recorded concertos by Brahms, Prokofiev, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.
Mr. Spivakov has been decorated with Russia's highest prize, the National Cultural Heritage Award, and is Ambassador of the Arts for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
On his birthday, September 12 1994, Russia's International Observatory named after him a star - "Spivakov".
In 1999, France officially recognized his contribution to the influence of music and culture by awarding him the title of "Officier des Arts et des Lettres" (Officer of Arts and Letters).
The first live concert with Spivakov I attended in Moscow Conservatory in 1994 (I hope I can get this correct from my memory), where Maestro along with Vladimir Kniazev soloed in Brahms double concerto with Russian National Orchestra, under Mikhail Pletnev. All the pictures on this page were taken by my husband, Boris Baryshnikov (more fun pictures you can find here), after "Moscow Virtuosi"'s concert in Wheaton College, Wheaton, Il in April 2000. This concert gathered together quite a number of Russian-speaking people. All of us were delighted to see the same warmth of Spivakov's brilliant music interpretation, as well as unassuming generosity to the listeners. We were lucky to get his autograph which I am proudly presenting (to be added) here and take a part in the press-conference after the concert.
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