Happy Birthday Violinist & Conductor Vladimir Spivakov!

Today is Russian conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov’s 80th birthday

Vladimir Spivakov, born in 1944 in Ufa (Soviet Republic of Bashkiria), began his violin studies with renowned professor Yuri Yankelevich at the Moscow Conservatory and later had the privilege of learning from his idol, David Oistrakh.

As a young talent, Spivakov earned many prestigious awards at several major international competitions, including the Marguerite Long – Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris (1965), the Paganini Competition in Genoa (1967), the Montreal International Competition (1969), and the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1970).

Throughout his performing career, he played with a great number of orchestras, under Bernstein, Solti, Ozawa, Maazel, Abbado, and Giulini. Spivakov is best known for founding and conducting the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, which has gained an international reputation, giving more than 120 concerts a year.

Spivakov currently serves as the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Philharmonic of Russia.

In May 1994, Spivakov founded the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation which is devoted to humanitarian, artistic, and educational work. Since its inception, the foundation has supported 500 young musicians by providing them with musical instruments, art supplies, ballet equipment, and academic education. The Project also offers medical care for critically ill children and supplies wheelchairs for disabled youth.

Spivakov has been honored with a number of Prizes, including the 1982 Lenin Komsomol Prize (for his high achievements as a performing artist), the 2005 Russian of the Year prize, and the UNESCO Artist for Peace.

VIVALDI | THE FOUR SEASONS | VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV & MOSCOW VIRTUOSI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA