Photo: classicalmusicnews.ru
Famous Russian conductor Yuri Temirkanov celebrates his milestone birthday on Monday, December 10. He turns 80, St. Petersburg Vedomosti newspaper writes.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin congratulated the talented conductor by noting his original and generous talent and the creative and artistic power of the conductor. “By heading the best symphonic collectives of the planet, you have been making the Russian and world cultural life brighter and richer for many years. You support wonderful education and charity projects,” the telegram of greetings said.
Yuri Temirkanov was born in Nalchik and began to study music in early childhood. He finished the music school and later graduated from the conservatory in Leningrad.
He started his career in 1965, when he debuted as a conductor at Leningrad State Academic Maly Opera Theatre with Verdi’s La Traviata Opera. Three years later he became the art adviser of the of the Leningrad Philharmonic’s symphony orchestra.
For more than ten years he headed the Mariinsky (former Kirovskiy) Theater. He heads the symphony orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic from the end of the 80-s till present day.
Yuri Temirkanov is very popular abroad. He performs a lot with the most famous bands.
The anniversary of the maestro will be celebrated by a special evening within the Honorary Citizens of St. Petersburg festival. The International Winter Arts Square Festival which starts in St. Petersburg this week is also dedicated to Temirkanov. The grand concert is scheduled for December 15.
Many famous musicians plan to dedicate their performances to the great conductor. Pianists Nikolai Lugansky and Denis Matsuev, violinists Julian Rachlin and Vadim Repin, violist Yuri Bashmet and others are among them.
The conductor himself will take the stage December 26 - at the closing of the festival.
Russkiy Mir
