Vladimir Spivakov: biography and personal life. Vladimir Spivakov

In Ufa. Soon the family moved to Leningrad (St. Petersburg). His father Theodor Spivakov worked as an engineer and as a dietitian, since he had two specialties. Mother, Ekaterina Weintraub, was a pianist and taught at a music school.

From the age of seven, Vladimir studied music, studied at a music school with teacher Boris Kruger. In 1955 he was enrolled in a ten-year music school at the Leningrad Conservatory.

In 1963 he entered the Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky in the violin class to Yankelevich, at the same time came to the class of David Oistrakh to learn some of his playing techniques.

By the time he completed his studies at the Moscow Conservatory in 1967, Spivakov had become a promising violin soloist, whose skill was recognized by a number of prizes and honorary titles at international competitions. At the age of 13, he received first prize at the White Nights competition in Leningrad and made his debut as a violin soloist on the stage of the Great Hall of the Leningrad Conservatory. It is worthy of awards at prestigious international competitions - named after M. Long and J. Thibaut in Paris (1965), named after Paganini in Genoa (1967), the first prize of the competition in Montreal (1969) and the second prize of the competition named after P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow (1970).

Since 1975, after triumphant solo performances in the United States, Spivakov has performed as a soloist with the best symphony orchestras in the world, including the Philharmonic Orchestras of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, London and New York, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Paris Symphony Orchestras , Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Cleveland under the baton of famous conductors Evgeny Mravinsky, Evgeny Svetlanov, Yuri Temirkanov, Mstislav Rostropovich, Leonard Bernstein, Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado and others.

Until 1997, Vladimir Spivakov played the violin by master Francesco Gobetti, presented to him by Professor Yankelevich. Since 1997, the maestro has been playing an instrument made by Antonio Stradivari, which was given to him for life use by patrons - admirers of his talent.

- Ukrainian Order of Merit, III degree, Kyrgyz Order "Danaker" and the Armenian Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots, French Orders of Arts and Literature (officer) and the Legion of Honor (cavalier - 2000, officer - 2010), Order of the Star of Italy (commander, 2012 ).

In February 2014, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko awarded Spivakov with the Order of Francysk Skaryna.

In 1994, in connection with the 50th anniversary of the musician, the Russian Space Research Center named one of the minor planets after him.

In 2002, Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov.

In 2005, Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the National Prize of Public Recognition "Russian of the Year".

In 2006, Vladimir Spivakov was recognized as an Artist of Peace by UNESCO, in 2009 he was awarded the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal. He is the Cultural Ambassador of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Works were dedicated to Vladimir Spivakov - "Mirror in the Mirror" for violin and piano by Arvo Pärt (1978), "Five fragments after the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch" for tenor, violin, trombone, harpsichord, percussion and string orchestra by Alfred Schnittke (1994), concerto for Orchestra "Yellow Stars" (in memory of Raoul Wallenberg) by Isaac Schwartz (2000), symphony "Quiet Wind" (2nd edition) from the tetralogy "Symphony of the Way" by Vyacheslav Artemov (2008).

Maestro is married to actress and TV presenter Sati Spivakova. They have three daughters: Ekaterina, Tatyana and Anna. From his marriage to pianist Victoria Postnikova, Vladimir Spivakov has a son, Alexander Rozhdestvensky. His niece Sasha, the daughter of a deceased younger sister, lives in the Spivakov family.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Childhood and family of Vladimir Spivakov

After the end of hostilities in the USSR, the Spivakov family moved back to the city on the Neva. In Leningrad, the future conductor began attending a special music school operating at the Leningrad Conservatory. It was here that Vladimir began to show his extraordinary creative abilities for the first time. Already at the age of thirteen he became a laureate of the White Nights award, and some time later he made his debut as a violinist on the legendary stage of the Leningrad Conservatory.

After graduating from a music school, our today's hero moved to Moscow, where he subsequently honed his innate skills at the Moscow Conservatory for several years. It is worth noting that here, too, Vladimir Spivakov clearly stood out from among other students. Even in his student years, he became the winner of international competitions in Paris and Genoa. After that, for some time special lessons for the young violinist were given by the outstanding musician David Oistrakh. It was largely thanks to him that already in 1969 Spivakov received the Tchaikovsky Festival Prize, and also became a laureate of the musicians' competition in Montreal, Canada.

Career of violinist Vladimir Spivakov

Vladimir Spivakov and Moscow Virtuosos

Over the years, he appeared on stage with orchestras in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Philadelphia and many other cities. As a violinist, our today's hero has become very popular. However, at some point, Vladimir Spivakov felt that he was capable of more. Having reduced the intensity of performances, Vladimir Teodorovich began to study the art of conducting and soon appeared before the enthusiastic audience in a fundamentally new role.

Career of conductor Vladimir Spivakov

In 1979, our today's hero gathered around him a group of like-minded people, with whom he subsequently began touring the cities of Europe and America. The team was named "Moscow Virtuosi". It is worth noting that to this day Vladimir Spivakov works with him as a conductor, artistic director and soloist.

Vladimir Spivakov and Virtuosi-Brahms-Weng.dance

From the first performances of the orchestra, our today's hero was accompanied by success that has not left him for more than thirty years. Today, Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosos often give concerts in various cities around the world, and also participate in various international festivals. Among the most famous performances are concerts in Salzburg, Edinburgh, New York, Florence and many other regions of the Earth.

It is worth noting that our today's hero also performs as a conductor with other groups. Over the years, he appeared on stage with the Chicago, Cleveland, London, Philadelphia and Budapest orchestras. In addition, the talented musician also performed with the orchestra of the La Scala theater, the musical troupes of the French Radio and the Cologne Philharmonic. For four years, our today's hero was also the head of the Russian National Orchestra.

In January 2003, Vladimir Spivakov headed the now well-known National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, which he once created himself.

Vladimir Spivakov at present

For his outstanding contribution to the art of music, our today's hero has been awarded numerous awards. So, in particular, in his personal collection there is the title of People's Artist of the USSR, the Order of Merit of the III degree (Ukraine and Russia), the Order of Friendship of Peoples, the title of Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor, as well as many other regalia.

Currently, Vladimir Spivakov is also touring the world. At the time of writing this article, the conductor, along with his orchestra, was on tour in the CIS countries (Belarus and Ukraine).

Personal life of Vladimir Spivakov

Vladimir Teodorovich Spivakov is a famous musician known both for his ingenious performing and virtuoso conducting art, winner of numerous prizes and awards, holder of various titles and titles, founder and artistic director of orchestras, idol of violin lovers, public figure.

He was born on September 12, 1944 in the Stalinsky district of the administrative center of the Bashkir Autonomous Republic of the city of Ufa.

Childhood

He was born into a Jewish family of immigrants from Odessa. Father, Teodor Vladimirovich, an engineer by profession, managed to fight, having been called up to the ranks of the Armed Forces from South Palmyra, he was seriously wounded and after treatment he was demobilized, got a job as a technologist at one of the Ufa factories.

Mom, Ekaterina Osipovna Weintraub, a woman with a difficult fate, originally from Chisinau, lived in Odessa, studied at the Leningrad Conservatory, where she survived the blockade, and after her husband returned from the front, she was evacuated with him deep into Russia.

Vladimir in childhood

After the Victory, the family again returned to the city on the Neva, where the boy studied at general education and music schools. By the way, the mother taught her son to music in infancy. She put a nine-month-old child in her arms and began to play music on the piano - Volodya joyfully jumped to the beat of cheerful music or swayed left and right to a sad melody.

At the age of six, the boy goes to study at a music school in the cello class, but he grows up weak and frail, so this instrument turned out to be unbearable for him, and his parents decide to transfer him to the violin, which they never regretted later. Often, children going to or from classes were met in the gateway by a crowd of hooligans, beaten, breaking violins.

Therefore, Vova decides to go to the boxing section, and after two months he was able to stand up for himself and his comrades, after which no one bothered them. A little later, he even received the second category in this sport.

Twice this helped him in life when he gave a worthy rebuff - first to a drunken passenger on an airplane in Rio de Janeiro, and then on the streets of Paris, when criminals armed with a knife approached him and Rostropovich.

The beginning of a musical career

From the age of 11, the boy studies at a special school at the Leningrad Conservatory, and two years later he becomes a laureate of the White Nights competition and receives an invitation to the capital. In Moscow, in addition to the music school at the State Conservatory, Vladimir also studies painting, demonstrating talent in both directions. But still he had to make a choice - he settled on music.

From the very first years of his studies in Moscow, Spivakov began to perform on the stages of international competitions, and everywhere the jury members admired the young violinist's performance. Paris and Genoa give him a standing ovation. Music critics note the inspirational nature of the young man, intelligence and emotionality, the richness of the sound of the instrument and artistry.

The well-known professor Yankelevich personally presents the young talent with a violin by Francesco Gobetti. By the way, Spivakov played on it until 1997, when fans of his talent, who considered it necessary to remain anonymous, engaged him with an instrument made by the famous Antonio Stradivari.

The apotheosis of recognition of the musician's achievements was his invitation to perform at New York's Lincoln Center, as well as on other US stages. After that, the reputation of the star of the classical scene was forever attached to him. Although the Iron Curtain was strong in those years, the musician was still released abroad, where his tours brought him overwhelming success.

Spivakov does not stop at his solo career, he participates in various chamber ensembles - string duets, trios or quartets, where world stars consider it an honor to perform with such a maestro.

In addition to concert activities, Vladimir Teodorovich is engaged in teaching, having received the title of professor of the Gnessin Music and Pedagogical Institute. In 1979, for the first time, he becomes a conductor, which begins a new milestone in his life.

Conducting activity

His debut in this field came when he conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The enthusiastic press noted that Spivakov was as incomparable as a conductor as he was as a violinist. Inspired by his success, in the same year the maestro creates his own team, which is called the Moscow Virtuosi.

His first performance dates from June 20, 1979 and takes place in the city of Gorky. The orchestra includes outstanding performers, laureates of international competitions, who together created a wonderful ensemble. It is worth noting that in its composition only representatives of the stronger sex.

Initially, Spivakov conceived it this way, so that household chores, children, etc., that is, everything related to women's problems, would never interfere with rehearsals and tours.

The professionalism of the Virtuosos is growing rapidly, and they are invited to give concerts on many stages of the world and everywhere they will be successful. Young talents, combined with already well-known performers, have created an unusually coherent team with expressiveness inherent only to it.

All concerts of the orchestra turn into a theatrical performance that does not let even the most notorious skeptics get bored. In 1982, for all recognized merits, the ensemble received the official status of the State Chamber Orchestra.

Spivakov and his offspring are constantly involved in charity work. On the third day after the Chernobyl disaster, the Moscow Virtuosos in full force give a free concert for the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident.

In 1988, after the terrible earthquake in Spitak, the orchestra participates in the days of commemoration of its victims. Performances were also organized, all fees from which are transferred to hospitals for the treatment of children with cancer.

In 1990, when economic problems arise in his native country, and the threat of the collapse of the team becomes irreversible, Spivakov, with the support of the Spanish royal family, moves with the musicians of the orchestra and their families to Oviedo.

All funding for the stay is taken over by Prince Philip of Asturias, the only condition of which is 10 concerts in Spain per year. In total, the Virtuosi give up to 100 concerts in all corners of the Earth.

But Spivakov is drawn to go home, and soon the orchestra, although not in full force, returns to Russia. There is a recruitment of new performers, and the Moscow Virtuosi continue to bring joy to true connoisseurs of chamber music, which they do to this day.

Personal life

The maestro's first wife was Svetla Borisovna Bezrodnaya (Levina), the daughter of I.V. Stalin's personal doctor, who was 10 years older than Vladimir. She is his "colleague in the shop", a violinist and conductor, she helped her husband create an orchestra. Joint life did not work out, and the union turned out to be fragile.

The second wife was Victoria Valentinovna Postnikova, laureate of international piano competitions. It seemed that the newlyweds were madly in love with each other, and soon their son Alexander was born. But, alas, the love dissipated, and the couple also had to leave.

Victoria married a second time to Gennady Rozhdestvensky, and he adopted a boy who took his last name. Alexander is a talented musician and violinist.

After the second divorce, Spivakov could not find his soul mate for a long time. Once, after a concert, his Armenian friend Zare Sahakyants came backstage with his daughter Satenik. Despite the age difference of 17 years, the maestro liked the girl very much, they wandered around the city for half the night, then, parting, they talked on the phone for another half the night, and very soon Vladimir Teodorovich offered his beloved his hand and heart.

With wife Sati

Sati Spivakova acts in films, hosts TV shows, writes books, always looks stylish and impressive. The musician calls his wife the greatest luck in life. They have three biological daughters. The eldest, Ekaterina, is a poet, writes poetry and songs, plays the piano, although she is a director by profession. Tatyana, medium, flutist, actress, serves in the theater.

Spivakov's favorite Anya is also a creative person, and on the Internet you can find her video Big Scenes, which she herself shot under the pseudonym Anna Kova. In addition, the Spivakovs also brought up an adopted daughter, Sasha, the child of his deceased sister. Now she lives abroad, works in the hotel business.

With wife and daughters

Born on September 12, 1944 in the town of Chernikovsk, Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, now part of the city of Ufa. Mother - Ekaterina Osipovna Weintraub, pianist, graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory and gave concerts all her life. Father, Theodor Vladimirovich Spivakov, a process engineer by profession, volunteered for the front and was seriously wounded. From his parents - a father-front-line soldier and a blockade mother - Spivakov from childhood took the spirit of sacrifice and help to those who suffer. Wife - Spivakova Sati (nee Saakyants Satenik), dramatic actress, graduate of GITIS, author and host of television programs. The son from marriage with Victoria Postnikova is Alexander Rozhdestvensky. Daughters: Ekaterina, Tatyana, Anna.

After the end of the war, the family moved to Leningrad. The boy's first musical impressions were his mother's playing the piano. From the age of six, Volodya began to study the violin with B.E. Kruger. First he entered the district music school, then, in 1955, he entered the secondary special music school at the Leningrad Conservatory. L.M. Sigal and V.I. Sher gave him strong training. As a volunteer, Spivakov also attended the painting school at the Leningrad Academy of Arts. In order to protect himself, he began to box, subsequently receiving the 2nd category.

In 1957, the 13-year-old violinist took part in a competition for the first time, at the Leningrad festival "White Nights", where he received the first prize. Further, while still studying at the music school at the conservatory, Spivakov performed at the All-Russian Competition for Young Performers. His abilities were noticed, and he was offered to transfer to Moscow to continue his studies. Having not finished school at the Leningrad Conservatory, in 1961 Spivakov was enrolled as a violinist at the Central Secondary Special Music School at the Moscow Conservatory, in the class of Yu.I. Yankelevich (until 1963). In 1962 he was present in Leningrad at a memorable meeting with the 80-year-old I. Stravinsky, during his visit to the USSR. Living in Moscow in a boarding school, he organizes excursions for younger students to the Tretyakov Gallery with his own explanations. He continues to paint under the guidance of A.V. Butorov.

In 1963, Vladimir Spivakov entered the Moscow State Conservatory. P.I. Tchaikovsky in violin in the class of Yu.I. Yankelevich, his former teacher. In addition to Spivakov, a number of world-famous violinists emerged from the class of this professor: I. Bochkova, T. Grindenko, G. Zhislin, P. Kogan, L. Marquis, V. Tretyakov, N. Shkolnikova, E. Alikhanova and others.

The range of works studied in Yankelevich's class extended from the old Italians - Tartini, Locatelli, Geminiani, Vivaldi - to Debussy's impressionism and even Berg's expressionism. As a volunteer, Spivakov attends the class of the outstanding David Oistrakh. Painting takes a lot of time, and Yankelevich had to insist that Spivakov leave painting and finally choose music as his profession.

1965 3rd year student Vladimir Spivakov performs at the first foreign competition - the M. Long and J. Thibaut International Violin and Piano Competition in Paris and takes third place, having received the title of laureate. In the conditions of the then "Iron Curtain" it was an important stage in the life of the Soviet musician. Spivakov receives permission to travel to Hungary, with a delegation of the Komsomol Central Committee.

In 1967, he was sent to the most difficult foreign violin competition - named after N. Paganini in Genoa - where he, a 5th year student, received the second prize.

In 1968 Spivakov graduated from the Moscow Conservatory as a violinist. Then two years, from September 1, 1968 to

Best of the day

On September 1, 1970, he was an assistant trainee at the Moscow Conservatory, invariably with the same Yankelevich. In 1969, he went to the next International Competition - in Montreal (Canada) and returned with a victorious result - the first prize.

By this time, he had been married for several years to a pianist, also with a great future, Victoria Postnikova, a laureate of several international competitions. In 1970, Spivakov became the laureate of the most difficult music competition in the world - named after P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow (second prize and a silver medal). Receives the award and his wife. Three months before the competition, their son Alexander is born, who later decided on the specialty of his father - violin. Postnikova marries a second time, to a conductor

G. Rozhdestvensky, who adopts Alexander and gives him his last name - Rozhdestvensky.

At the end of the assistant tour-internship, Spivakov receives a referral to the Moscow Philharmonic. Yankelevich, having visited his student's concert, said significant words to him: "You know, I felt happy at the concert, because I saw: you no longer need me." D.Oistrakh's authoritative opinion was high: “Vladimir Spivakov is one of the best young representatives of the Soviet performing arts, who has gained popularity and love among music lovers in many countries. His playing is characterized by a subtle and deep understanding of the style of the pieces he performs, noble taste, impeccable virtuosity, and a bright artistic temperament.”

1975 was the year of Spivakov's brilliant debut in the USA. His appearance with a chamber program in the hall of the Lincoln Center in New York made such a sensation that even after the first part (Beethoven's Sonata in C Minor) the hall stopped. But in 1977, just in the famous New York concert hall Carnegie Hall, a political incident occurred: a can of paint and an explosive device was thrown at the violinist - this was the American Jewish Defense League trying to disrupt the concert of the Soviet musician. The audience gave a standing ovation, and the next day, the US press published an apology from US officials. Soviet newspapers wrote about the "stamina and courage" of the Soviet artist. In 1978, the violinist was awarded the honorary title - Honored Artist of the RSFSR.

Having become a recognized violin soloist, in the 70s Vladimir Spivakov began to participate in various chamber ensembles: string quartet, trios, duets. His participation as a soloist in performances with the State Chamber Orchestra founded by R. Barshay became a work for a great future: he mastered dozens of works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Corelli, Albinoni, Boccherini here.

Another area of ​​activity for Spivakov was teaching. The well-known choir conductor V. Minin, being the rector of the Russian Academy of Music (then the Gnessin Musical and Pedagogical Institute), invited him to work at this university.

From October 1972 to May 1990, Vladimir Teodorovich taught there, having received the academic title of professor. His students scattered around the cities of the USSR: Murmansk, Kursk, Chisinau, Odessa, Moscow, etc. Some became winners of international competitions, for example, K. McDermott (USA) received a diploma at the P.I. Tchaikovsky competition, B. Garlitsky (Moscow) - a prize at the N. Paganini Competition, several second prizes at international competitions where no first prizes were awarded.

Vladimir Spivakov is seriously thinking about the specialty of a conductor. Like many violinists, he could not help but see the insufficiency of the violin repertoire. He compared the internal necessity of such a turn with how the actor V. Shukshin became a writer. As a teacher, he chooses I.B. Gusman and studies with him for about five years, in Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky), and in Moscow. In the future, on occasion, he takes separate consultations with the most famous foreign conductors - L. Maazel, L. Bernstein. Vladimir went through a huge professional school, performing as a soloist under the guidance of K. Abbado, S. Ozawa, R. Shaya, B. Haitink.

In 1979, he again makes a triumphant tour of the United States: as a violinist, he performs in Pittsburgh, New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Washington (Library of Congress Hall) and Dallas. In chamber programs he is accompanied by pianist B. Bekhterev. In Cleveland, L. Maazel gives the soloist a photo with the inscription: "The indescribable genius of the violin." The public and the press, who remember Spivakov well from past years, receive him enthusiastically. "Spivakov's virtuosity has never been in doubt since his first concert in New York in 1975, but a performance like that at Carnegie Hall cannot leave anyone indifferent," the New York Post wrote.

The turning point in the musical life of the 35-year-old artist was his US symphonic conducting debut with the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Summer Festival (1979). Before that, he gave concerts in Spain, England - the tour took on a global character. The American press wrote: “The young Soviet master V. Spivakov is a representative of the Russian violin school. His playing is characterized by a wonderful sound, unfettered virtuosity, majesty, elegance, dignity ”(New York Times). Also in connection with the Chicago conductor's debut: "Spivakov makes Mozart sing both as a violinist and as a conductor"; “Spivakov is a real conductor” (“Chicago Sun-times”). The Soviet press also gave laudatory reviews: “Successful Tours” (“Trud” February 2, 1979), “Applauds Carnegie Hall”, “This is an amazing violinist” (O. Polyakovsky, “Soviet Culture” February 16 and

The year 1979 entered Spivakov's creative destiny as a particularly significant one, because it was then that his own group was formed, the leadership of which brought him the widest world fame for decades - the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra. Pictorial examples for Spivakov were R. Barshai's Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Italian Virtuosi of Rome, the Prague and London Chamber Orchestras (in the latter he was even invited to lead). The novice conductor conceived his orchestra as a composition of fabulous virtuosos and selected only winners of competitions, students of Yankelevich, Oistrakh, Rostropovich. No less important was the presence of good human qualities. In addition, the orchestra was composed only by men, not tied to the house and children. Members of the Borodin Quartet, Y. Bashmet, became the accompanists.

The debut date of the Moscow Virtuosi is considered to be a performance in Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky) on June 20, 1979.

On June 15, 1982, the orchestra acquired an official status: the State Chamber Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture "Moscow Virtuosi".

Among the creative aims of the head of the Virtuosos are the seriousness, the nobility of chamber music, its accessibility, and the desire to help young talents by providing first-class accompaniment for their solo performances. Naturally, I was attracted by the opportunity to try my musical strength in a new repertoire. The range of musical styles covered eras from the 17th to the 20th centuries, countries - Europe and America, genres - from church to entertainment.

In stage behavior, certain manners were worked out, introducing a touch of theatricality. The specificity of the Virtuosi repertoire was that Spivakov began to introduce something witty and entertaining as encores, making the audience merrily liven up (whether it be I. Strauss's Polka or D. Shostakovich's Prelude).

Professionally, the new chamber orchestra is rapidly growing and gaining recognition. Its distinctive qualities are the extraordinary unity of the ensemble and irresistible expressiveness. Later, they wrote about it as follows: “A wonderful ensemble of soloists who understand each other with one breath, but play as one voice” (“New York Post”).

The press enthusiastically accepts, first of all, the interpretation of the great musical classics by the “Spivakovites”. In Austria, the birthplace of Mozart, they write: “In the blink of an eye, the first-class Moscow ensemble showed us how relaxed and without problems, and therefore, extremely convincingly, Mozart can be performed. Each phrase is pronounced with pleasure, each sound is a tangible pleasure for both musicians and listeners. There are no “passing” or empty phrases here, and you feel this tension, this naturalness of breathing as if it comes from yourself” (“Di Presse”).

In Spain, about the incarnation of Bach with the participation of the Basque choir Orfeon Donostiarra: “Together with the Moscow Virtuosos, they performed the Mass of J.S. Bach. This concert was an outstanding monument to Bach and was an unforgettable event, comparable only to the best concerts of the West Berlin Philharmonic, led by Karajan, the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, directed by Ormandy, and the Paris Orchestra, led by Maazel. Bravo!" (In the mirror of the press // Musical life, 1985 No. 18, p. 7).

The extraordinary expressiveness of the performance of high-class musicians, witty "encores", elements of theatricalization created popularity for the classical orchestra, which began to be compared with the success of pop stars among the public. Thus, the orchestra played a powerful role in culture: it introduced hundreds of thousands of people to classical music, who had not come into contact with it before.

The Moscow Virtuosi impressed with the number of performances - up to 120 per year, in different countries of the world, most of all in their own country. For example, the concert season 1984/85. Autumn: festivals in Edinburgh, London, Wales, own festival in Yerevan (12 concerts - in the best halls, as well as a state farm, at the frontier post), Children's Theater in Moscow, Bratislava musical celebrations, other cities of Slovakia, Leningrad - mutual master classes with BDT under the direction of Tovstonogov, festival in Chisinau, 25 concerts in Germany and Austria. Winter: the Russian Winter festival in Moscow, the Tchaikovsky House Museum in Klin, an evening in memory of Vysotsky at the Taganka Theater, concerts in Madrid, Moscow again. Spring: Rostov, Donetsk, "Florentine May", Milan, Chelyabinsk, Odessa, Moscow again - an evening in memory of Yankelevich. Summer: Istanbul Arts Festival, Alma-Ata, Tashkent, Baku, Budapest. (E.Barankin. Moscow Virtuosos: Four Seasons. Musical Life, 1985, No. 18, p.6-7).

An important creative contact was the acquaintance of V.T. Spivakov with the famous American composer and conductor L. Bernstein. They first met in the mid-1980s at a performance in Salzburg on Mozart's birthday, when the former was the soloist and the latter conducted. Here Bernstein presented Spivakov with his conductor's baton.

The head of the Moscow Virtuosos, who "had a heart in the beginning", who was ready to "cry with those who cry", always had an increased sensitivity to human troubles and immediately came to the rescue.

An act of self-sacrifice and grandiose courage was the departure of V. Spivakov and his orchestra to Kyiv a few days after the explosion of the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl. The scale of the musician's personal courage turns out to be identical to the scale of his artistic creativity. The Moscow Virtuosi turned out to be the only line-up that came to the Kyiv Spring in 1986. “When we stepped onto the stage of the Philharmonic Hall,” Spivakov recalled, “those minutes will forever remain in my memory. People stood in the hall and cried. Half of them are liquidators, sick, in fact, people. The musicians on stage were also crying. After the concert, people came up to us, many of whom listened to classical music live for the first time in their lives, and thanked us with tears in their eyes. This is what binds us all more than any speeches, toasts, feasts. (I. Lapinsky. “Moscow Virtuosi” in Kyiv. The audience gave a standing ovation. Financial Ukraine, 12/17/1996, p.1).

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, Spivakov organized the international charity event "Echo of Chernobyl" (in Kiev and Dnepropetrovsk): adding to his orchestra the choir of the Academy of Santa Cecilia from Rome and soloists from Germany, Poland, the USA, he performed Mozart's Requiem and "Farewell Symphony" Haydn.

After the catastrophic earthquake of 1988 in Spitak for a trip to Leninakan (three months later), Spivakov composed the composition of the Requiem from the poems by A. Akhmatova, performed by A. Demidova and music by D. Shostakovich - Chamber Symphony (arranged by Quartet No. 8). Spivakov also participated in the days of commemoration of the victims of the Spitak earthquake: in concerts of the Armenian Philharmonic in Yerevan, then in France, in the Gaveau Hall in Paris (2001).

1987 was marked by the 500th concert of the Moscow Virtuosos. In 1989, for the music programs of 1986–1988, Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the USSR State Prize. In 1990 - the honorary title "People's Artist of the USSR". In 1992, the 1000th concert of the Moscow Virtuosos was celebrated.

With the aforementioned Chamber Symphony by D. Shostakovich, Vladimir Spivakov made a deep impression abroad as well. So, in 1988 in Hiroshima, after its sounding, two and a half thousand people got up and stood for several minutes in complete silence. At a concert in Dachau, where there was a famous concentration camp, even the men in the hall were crying, and the musicians were sitting with tears in their eyes.

By the end of the 1980s, a crisis had come in the Moscow Virtuosos team.

Serious economic problems arose in the country, the severity of everyday problems threatened the very existence of the team. At the same time, viruoses from Moscow enjoyed success abroad. Under these conditions, the musicians turned to Spivakov with a request to find a way to keep the orchestra somewhere abroad. Following their insistence, the conductor turned to the royal family of Spain, with whom he was friendly, and received consent to move the orchestra along with their families. In the autumn of 1990, 150 people arrived in the North of Spain, in the region of Gijón and Oviedo. The artists were financed by the Fund of Prince Philip of Asturias, the son of the Spanish king: under his auspices there was a choir, now an orchestra has also been added. The Moscow Virtuosos stayed here until the spring of 1997.

Under the contract, the orchestra was obliged to give 10 concerts a year for Spain, but otherwise could dispose of itself at its discretion. This opportunity was widely used by the team leader.

In 1991 he held in St. Petersburg a commemorative performance of his composition based on Handel's "Messiah" with the participation of the Asturian choir and with the reading of Zweig's texts by the actor of the Bolshoi Drama Theater V. Strzhelchik. The concerts in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory were super sold out, for example, in 1994 with the performance of Vivaldi's "Stabat mater" and Albinoni's violin concerto. In the mid-1990s, the Moscow Virtuosos held 13 concerts in the USA (the head of the orchestra also conducted the Houston and San Francisco symphony orchestras).

As a “star”, Vladimir Spivakov was increasingly invited to elite events in the Russian capital.

Highly appreciating the skill of Russian musicians, the leaders of Spain tried to keep them as tightly as possible with them. An offer was received from Barcelona, ​​with the highest payment, but on one condition: instead of the Moscow Virtuosos, the orchestra would become the Barcelona Virtuosos. Spivakov flatly refused. Thanks to the Spivaks, a different cultural climate arose in Asturias: two new symphony orchestras appeared, several chamber ones, music schools were opened, and a large modern concert hall was rebuilt. The prudent Spaniards created a new orchestra at the opera house in Gijón precisely with the participation of the Virtuoso Calls. But all this became a threat to the existence of the Moscow team, fermentation was going on in the orchestra.

Spivakov did not intend to gain a foothold in Spain. After the first term of the contract, Spivakov found an apartment for himself in Paris - at the cultural crossroads of Europe and not so far from Oviedo. By this time, he already had a second family, children were born who began to live in the capital of France. In 1984, he married the Armenian actress Satenik Saakyants, who became Sati Spivakova. Her father was a violinist, a student of Yankelevich, she herself graduated from piano school. At the age of 20, Sati became famous thanks to her leading role in the opera film Anush. She occasionally performed on stage with poetry readings, hosted her own program on Central Television in Moscow, and published a biographical book about Spivakov, “Not everything?” (M.: Vagrius, 2003). The book presents prominent people with whom the musician met: Queen Sofia of Spain, S. Parajanov, B. Okudzhava, G. Tovstonogov, V. Strzhelchik, A. Sobchak, I. Menuhin, L. Bernstein, M. Plisetskaya, M. Rostropovich , G. Vishnevskaya, Yu. Bashmet, E. Svetlanov, T. Quasthof, J. Norman and others. In 2004, under her editorship, the photo album “Fleeting” was released (on the 60th anniversary of Spivakov, with his texts - M .: Music) . In life, she is a true friend and helper to her husband. They have three children - Ekaterina, Tatiana and Anna (the latter was born in Paris). After the death of Spivakov's sister Elizabeth, Vladimir Teodorovich took her daughter to him.

During the period of organizational difficulties with his orchestra, Spivakov carried out several large-scale organizational actions. In 1989 he became artistic director of the music festival in Colmar (France) and soon made this festival one of the most prominent in Europe. In 1994, he created the Vladimir Spivakov International Charitable Foundation in Moscow, which over time has acquired all-Russian and world significance (founded on May 20, executive director - E. Shirman). In the same 1994, the artist agreed to a new pedagogical work - master classes in Zurich (until 2005).

The head of the Moscow Virtuosos clearly realized that the full life of his orchestra would be only in Moscow. He clearly saw the positive changes in the life of the country - freedom of expression and expression of will, a better financial condition. Spivakov began to persistently negotiate the fate of the orchestra with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, and in 1997 he received permission to patronize the orchestra from the Moscow City Hall with the status of the State Chamber Orchestra.

In Russia, by this time he had already established a tradition of giving New Year's Eve concerts with the Virtuosos. They were expected, tuned in to them, it was always a bright, joyful holiday.

It was during this period that Spivakov, who became a man of the world, especially deeply realized the value of Russia for him: the memory of childhood, the first, most striking discoveries of the young consciousness, the mentality of Russian musicians, listeners, often standing all night long for a ticket to his concert.

Vladimir Spivakov did not take root in the West. He and more than half of the Virtuozes returned to Moscow. A number of excellent musicians who were part of the orchestra remained abroad.

Spivakov began completing the "Virtuosos" on a Russian basis. There was a shift in a spiral: in front of the maestro were musicians of a different generation, fit for his sons, but again full of ability and enthusiasm.

And only with the laying of the foundation stone for the new concert complex at Krasnye Kholmy did the Moscow Virtuosos have a hope of having their own haven in the capital.

Since 1997, the Virtuosi began to increase the number of performances and soon brought the number to 100 concerts a year. At the same time, Spivakov began to invite the most famous singers to the country, who had never been heard in Russia. His performances in 1997 with the German bass-baritone T. Quasthoff (also in Kiev) had a huge resonance.

Continued success accompanied the rejuvenated "Virtuosi" abroad: in 2000 they played in the prestigious London Barbican, in the "Old Opera" Frankfurt am Main. On the last occasion, the press reported: “The interest of music lovers in the concerts of the Moscow Virtuosi Orchestra is traditionally high. In the evening

On April 16, at the Staraya Opera, grateful listeners called the Moscow Virtuosos for an encore seven times. The main program of the concert included works by Mozart, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky. (April 16 at the "Old Opera" (Alte Oper) in the center of Frankfurt am Main, a concert of "Moscow Virtuosi" was held (RIA Oreanda 04/18/2000. Rambler-Media).

1999 - the year of Spivakov's 55th birthday - turned out to be fruitful in terms of official awards and offers. By decree of the President of Russia Yeltsin, he was awarded one of the highest awards - the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

III degree. The French government elevated him to the rank of “Officer of Arts and Fine Literature”, and the President of Armenia personally presented the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots.

In the same 1999, an important turn in the creative life of Spivakov came: he became a permanent conductor not only of the chamber orchestra, but also of the symphony. The head of the Virtuosos accepted M. Pletnev's offer to become the chief conductor of the Russian National Orchestra (RNO), an independent non-state group. By this time, Maestro V. Spivakov had accumulated vast experience - 20 years of leadership of the Moscow Virtuosos chamber orchestra, symphony conducting as a guest conductor with the most prominent ensembles: the London Symphony, the San Francisco, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Orchestra of the Academy "Santa Cecilia" in Rome, the orchestra of the Milan theater "La Scala", the National Orchestra of French Radio, the National Symphony of Hungary, etc. However, the decision was not easy for Spivakov, he felt that he needed to expand his professional horizons.

For Spivakov, the way was opened for the music of the most complex in thought and the richest in sound content - the symphonies of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Shostakovich, the orchestra of Wagner, Richard Strauss, Ravel, Prokofiev. There was also a huge responsibility: the RNO had the reputation of one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, there were numerous sponsors, mostly American. Spivakov saw the independence of the orchestra as an important symbol of the new, democratic Russia.

Working with the Russian National Orchestra directed Spivakov's thoughts towards the Russian repertoire, while the "Virtuosos" initially cultivated Western classics. He retained his earliest setting: to accompany the soloists, bringing talented youth to the stage. And he transferred his charmingly light encores to the most serious orchestra. The premiere of Spivakov with RNO took place in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory at the opening of the season in 1999 with a symbolic program: Beethoven's "Inauguration (consecration) of the House", Beethoven's First Concerto with M. Pletnev as a soloist (as if passing the baton) and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony ( Russian classics).

Knowing well the world's musical life, Spivakov thought about the need for Moscow to have a modern concert complex, similar to the Lincoln Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, centers in London, Amsterdam, Rome. Having convinced Moscow Mayor Y. Luzhkov of this, he laid the first stone of such a building on Krasnye Kholmy (September 7, 2000) together with him.

Spivakov also tested his strength as an opera conductor. At the invitation of the Genoese theater "Carlo Felice" he staged the play "The Puritani" by V. Bellini, dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the composer (2001). An important element of mastery was the maestro's ability to work with performers of the most complex coloratura parts.

In 2001, Spivakov laid the foundation for a new action in his homeland: on the model of the festival he led in Colmar, he organized the Moscow International Festival "Vladimir Spivakov invites ...", with a frequency of two years (the second took place in 2003, the third - in 2005) .

The initiator of the national festival sought to raise the artistic level of concerts in Moscow, in Russia (there was an obvious crisis in all areas during these years) to the highest world level. The symphony orchestra entrusted to him was also nominated by Spivakov for the 2001 festival: the RNO solemnly opened and closed it. At the opening, the conductor demonstrated an unusual interpretation of D. Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. He invited the brightest domestic performers, including Yu. Bashmet, who played with his ensemble "Moscow Soloists". He staged his literary and musical composition based on Handel's "Messiah" with the participation of the People's Artist of the USSR O. Tabakov. He performed the opera "Mozart and Salieri" by N. Rimsky-Korsakov with the participation of S. Leiferkus and D. Korchak. He himself performed in a solo program (including the Z. Frank Sonata), confirming his image as a world-class violinist. The participation of the American "singer of the millennium", a black woman J. Norman, was a discovery and a shock for Russian listeners. The performance of "The Death of Isolde" by R. Wagner was the culmination of the festival.

The press, which paid constant attention to all types of the artist's creative activity, concluded that Spivakov manages to do more than ordinary psychophysics is capable of. And the artist himself referred to the phrase of the conductor Z.Meta: “I am relaxing in the Adagio of Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony…”.

The large German recording company Capriccio released eight CDs during 2001-2004, representing Spivakov in all his roles: piano soloist, orchestra soloist, orchestra conductor. “Suddeutsche Zeitung” named the recording of sonatas by C. Frank, M. Ravel and R. Strauss performed by V. Spivakov with S. Bezrodny (2001) as “Disc of the Year”. Most of the discs contain music from the 20th century. Special attention deserves the recording of "Night of Enlightenment" by A. Schoenberg performed by "Moscow Virtuosos" (2004). Sound expressiveness and coherence of performance reach the perfection of the former Virtuosos, but in music not by Vivaldi, but by a much more difficult Schoenberg.

Spivakov deeply felt the American catastrophe on September 11, 2001, when two planes controlled by Islamic extremists crashed into the high-rise towers of the New York World Trade Center. Many times he performed in America, he formed his own vast audience there. And at the moment when the tragedy broke out, he was rehearsing in Paris with J. Norman. RNO was one of the first bands to respond to the event that shocked the whole world: a concert in the Great Hall of the Conservatory from the music of American composers - Gershwin and Bernstein - received a memorial coloring.

A concert in memory of the victims of these terrorist attacks in Kyiv (September 2002) became a civil, even political action. Present were the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma, statesmen, the US Ambassador. Spivakov and RNO performed Mozart's mournful "Requiem" with the participation of the Academic Choir of the National Opera of Ukraine and soloists from the USA, France, South Korea and Canada and a suite from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" as a kind fairy tale with a happy ending. For the American side, J.F. Souza's "Stars and Stripes" march was performed, after which Spivakov played Albinoni's "Prayer" on the violin.

The Volga tour of 2002 with the motto "Great music is in the heart of Russia" became a major concert action of the RNO under the direction of Spivakov: Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Togliatti, Samara, Saratov. "Holiday of Hearts" (words of the press) was mutual for the public and artists.

Unexpectedly, the leadership of this orchestra for Spivakov ceased: his contract was not renewed, and in 2002 he was forced to leave the post of chief conductor of the RNO ahead of schedule. The more important was the support to Spivakov, provided personally by the President of Russia V. Putin: the head of state considered it necessary that the conductor stay to live and work in Russia.

Spivakov's authority in the world contributed to his constant invitations to the jury of international competitions in different countries, in particular those where he himself once won awards - Genoa, Montreal, Paris, the competition to them. Tchaikovsky in Moscow. Several times he worked at the C. Flesh competition in London, and became president of the Sarasate competition in Spain. He has been on the jury of the non-state Russian award "Triumph" since its inception, among the most prominent domestic artists (V. Aksenov, Yu. Bashmet, A. Bitov, A. Voznesensky, E. Neizvestny, O. Tabakov, etc.). As a member of the jury, he stubbornly fought for the fairness of the ratings of the contestants, be it Italy, France, Spain or Moscow.

In 2002, Vladimir Teodorovich headed the jury of violinists at the X11 International P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow, where he set a goal - to return this competition to its world authority. Introduced several significant innovations, in particular, a ban on jury members voting for their students. At the Moscow competition in 2002, the first prize was not awarded, the second was shared by participants from Japan and China.

Left without a large orchestra, Spivakov was given an exceptional creative opportunity: to assemble his own symphony orchestra and lead it. The new team was given the name - the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia (NPR) with state funding. In 2003, Spivakov personally held a qualifying competition, and on September 27, 2003, the NPR gave its first concert. The team could initially claim the image of one of the best orchestras in Russia and the world. Considering the undivided monopoly of one leader dangerous for the orchestra, Spivakov outlined the prospect of many conductors from different countries working with his orchestra. So, soon after the debut of the NPR, it was conducted by the famous Polish composer K.Penderetsky and the chief conductor of the National Opera of France J. Conlon.

In Moscow, Vladimir Spivakov was offered another significant post: in the spring of 2003, he became president of the Moscow International House of Music (MMDM), a new concert complex erected in Moscow on Red Hills. Spivakov, a patriot and guardian of Russia, at the age of 59 received boundless opportunities for the realization of his outstanding musical and business talents. Three of his bloodchildren have finally found shelter in MMDM: the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of Russia and the Vladimir Spivakov International Charitable Foundation. No other major Russian musician had such rich "possessions".

At the request of Spivakov, the Great Hall of the MIDM was named after the outstanding Russian conductor of the 20th century, Yevgeny Svetlanov. And the solemn opening day of this first concert hall in the House of Music on September 27, 2003 became a dedication to the memory of a senior colleague. Previously, Svetlanov repeatedly performed at the festival in Colmar, instructed Spivakov to work with the State Orchestra. And when Svetlanov was deprived of his orchestra, Spivakov invited him to give concerts with the RNO. At the evening in memory of Svetlanov, Spivakov performed his "Aria" for orchestra, after which he held a symbolic "minute of silence"; ended the concert not with jubilation and jokes, but with the formidable "Dies irae" from Mozart's "Requiem".

Soon sending a new orchestra to St. Petersburg, Spivakov gave a concert in favor of seriously ill children. "Morning of Petersburg" reported: "Thirteen thousand dollars were transferred to the chemotherapy department for acute leukemia of the Children's City Hospital No. 1. This money was collected at a charity concert of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia conducted by maestro Vladimir Spivakov. The concert took place on October 11 in the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. These funds have already been used to purchase drugs and medicines for 28 patients who are being treated in the department” (Drugs from a concert // Morning of St. Petersburg. October 24, 2003).

The continuation of the debut concerts was the participation of the NPR in the second Moscow festival "Vladimir Spivakov invites ..." in November-December 2003. The new orchestra opened and closed this major forum, again with the participation of the unique singer J. Norman.

May 2004 marked the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charitable Foundation, on the occasion of which the Moscow Meets Friends festival was held, attended by 947 people. The idea of ​​the festival was the unity of children of different nations through art. F

By that time, the Foundation had acquired an unparalleled scale: 3,500 children received assistance, 2,500 concerts were organized, 300 art exhibitions were held, 625 people became Foundation scholarship holders, 90 of whom were laureates of international competitions and festivals, 221 musical instruments were donated, assistance was provided in carrying out 44 surgical operations. Some of the Foundation's scholarship holders have become world famous - first of all, Evgeny Kissin.

In the summer of 2004, Spivakov held the 16th festival in Colmar, the culmination of its significance: the NPR, the Virtuosos, and Foundation scholarship holders performed.

Spivakov dedicated each festival to outstanding musicians: L. Bernstein, I. Menuhin, J. Szigeti, K. Penderetsky and others. J. Norman became a symbol of this. The importance of the activities of the outstanding Russian musician in France is evidenced by the book by G. Breuner "The Years of Spivakov" published there (a chronicle of the festivals in Colmar).

The milestone period for Spivakov as a musician was the fall of 2004, the onset of his 60th birthday. The concerts clearly showed that a "new Spivakov" had appeared - a performer of the most complex symphonies and even avant-garde opuses. At the Moscow festival dedicated to the 70th anniversary of A. Schnittke, he expressively sharpened the sound of the orchestra in the Piano Concerto (“Moscow Virtuosos” and I. Schnittke as a pianist), conducted the Russian premiere of the sonorant “Pianissimo” (1970) with the NPR, masterfully revealed the songs dedicated to him "Five fragments after paintings by Hieronymus Bosch" for ensemble. Particularly indicative was the performance of the First Symphony by G. Mahler with the NPR at the opening of the MMDM season. The combination of the scale of philosophical musical thought with the loving finishing of details revealed in him the rare quality of a “Mahlerian conductor”.

Vladimir Teodorovich Spivakov says: “The life of every person, it seems to me, in some sense is a sacrifice. I generally thought that there was some great higher truth. It used to exist, and then it fell on our sinful earth and broke into small pieces. And so each person bears his cross and goes in search of his little piece of truth. This is sacrifice. I consider myself a happy person. Because I have music. This is a world in which I can leave at any moment from any life's adversity. // Vladimir Spivakov. Interview. //Izvestia, 2004, May 13.//

V.T. Spivakov - People's Artist of the USSR (1990), People's Artist of the RSFSR (1986), People's Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (2005), Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1978), laureate of the USSR State Prize (1989), Lenin Komsomol Prize ( 1982), award of the All-European Munich Academy "For outstanding achievements in the field of musical art" (1981), honorary professor of Moscow State University (2002).

The musician was awarded numerous prizes at competitions: "White Nights" in Leningrad (1957, first prize), named after M. Long and J. Thibault in Paris (1965, third prize), named after N. Paganini in Genoa (1976, second prize), in Montreal (1969, first prize), named after P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow (1970, second prize).

Awarded with Orders of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class (Russia, 1999), Friendship (Russia, 1994), Orders of Merit, 3rd class (Ukraine, 1996), Legion of Honor (France, 2000), Officer of Arts and Fine Literature (France, 1999), Saint Mesrop Mashtots (Armenia, 1999), the highest award of Kyrgyzstan - the Danaker Order (2001), the Olive Branch medal (Armenia, 2001), the Patrons of the Century Order (Russia, 2005), the International public order "Golden Falcon" (2005).

Vladimir Teodorovich Spivakov was also awarded the titles: UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador (1998), "Best Musician of Radio 1" (1999), laureate of the "Person of the Year" award in the "Idol" nomination (Russia, 2002), laureate of the National Award for Public Recognition of the Achievements of Citizens Russian Federation in the nomination "Russian of the Year" (2005), laureate of the Shock de la music "Range d'or" award - French press awards for the best recording, the Golden Ostap prize (1993), as well as the title of honorary citizen of the cities of Colmar (Spain, 1999) and Tolyatti (Russia, 2004).

The minor planet Spivakov 5410 (1994) is named after the Maestro.

The following books are devoted to the life and work of V.T. Spivakov: S. Spivakova. Not all?. Moscow: Vagrius, 2003; V. Spivakov. Transience. M.: Music, 2004; V. Kholopova. Vladimir Spivakov. M.: Music, 2004; G. Breuner. Spivakov years. Chronicle of the International Music Festival in Colmar 1989–2003 (G. Braeuner. Les annees Spivakov. Strasbourg, La Nuee Bleue, 2004); T.Grum-Grzhimailo. Spivakov on the verge of centuries. Beijing: East, 2004 (in Chinese).

Thank you from a Bulgarian
Svetla Maneva 13.04.2007 11:30:56

I am a very lucky person because the fortune gave me the incredible chance to spend 10 days with Vladimir and his wondeful wife Saty when they were for the first time in Bulgaria. Dear vladimir and saty - thank you for being so wonderfull. Thank you for the chance to know you - this is an unforgetable time of my life. Thank you for keeping your promise to come back in Bulgaria. Thank you for the new chance to lsisten your wonderful music again. Thenk you for every thing you are. You made me a reach person and my grateful heartis yours
Svetla Maneva

Not expected! And strived!
Benefactor LEONID BUKHROT. 20.10.2007 10:53:38

In the year 1980 (I don’t remember exactly), at the request of my beloved, I came with her to the concert of VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV at the Philharmonic Hall in ... Riga! And for all these years, the memory of the concert, Vladimir Spivakov and the orchestra brings me a kind living Light into my life. She helped me on my Holy Way of the Cross to the Holy City of JERUSALEM from 08/22/92 to 12/30/92 by the Blessing of GOD Himself, who suddenly sounded to me, was born at 4 am on Sunday 12/01/1946, on Holy Saturday at 3 am on 04/25. 1992... (About me: PRAVDA, 01/14/1993; ECHO OF THE PLANET, March, No. 10...). I hope that VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV will perform in Riga on 22.10.2007. I would be glad if I could get to the concert and... give my dear VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV a selection of my Spiritual Works to save people from eternal torment in the ascent TO ETERNAL LIFE!...
Chosen by GOD Well-wisher LEONID BUKHROT. (Tel.: +371 29557132). You are hope and courage In my difficult fate.

Luminous MUSIC - You are my joy.
Luminous MUSIC - You are the essence of being to me

Name:
Vladimir Spivakov

Zodiac sign:
Virgo

Eastern horoscope:
Monkey

Place of Birth:
Chernikovsk, Bashkiria

Activity:
virtuoso violinist, conductor

Weight:
68 kg

Height:
170 cm

Biography of Vladimir Spivakov

Vladimir Spivakov is a man who managed to become a real legend in his profession. A talented violinist, virtuoso conductor, founder of a popular orchestra - but is this the only thing known about our today's hero? Of course not. After all, interesting pages can be found in the biography of almost any person. And Vladimir Spivakov is an excellent confirmation of the truth of these words.

Childhood and family of Vladimir Spivakov

The future famous musician was born in the town of Chernikovsk (now a suburb of Ufa) on September 12, 1944. By origin, Vladimir Teodorovich belongs to the Jewish nationality, but in Israel the musician is quite rare. Expanding the topic of the conductor's family, we note that only the mother of our today's hero was closely connected with music. Before the war, the woman lived and performed in Leningrad, appearing on stage mainly as a pianist. As for the father of Vladimir Spivakov, he worked as an engineer all his life.

Vladimir Spivakov - founder of the Moscow Virtuosos

After the end of hostilities in the USSR, the Spivakov family moved back to the city on the Neva. In Leningrad, the future conductor began attending a special music school operating at the Leningrad Conservatory. It was here that Vladimir began to show his extraordinary creative abilities for the first time. Already at the age of thirteen he became a laureate of the White Nights award, and some time later he made his debut as a violinist on the legendary stage of the Leningrad Conservatory.

After graduating from a music school, our today's hero moved to Moscow, where he subsequently honed his innate skills at the Moscow Conservatory for several years. It is worth noting that here, too, Vladimir Spivakov clearly stood out from among other students. Even in his student years, he became the winner of international competitions in Paris and Genoa. After that, for some time special lessons for the young violinist were given by the outstanding musician David Oistrakh. It was largely thanks to him that already in 1969 Spivakov received the Tchaikovsky Festival Prize, and also became a laureate of the musicians' competition in Montreal, Canada.

Career of violinist Vladimir Spivakov

In 1975, Vladimir Spivakov began to perform professionally on stage for the first time as a violin soloist. The debut for our today's hero in this regard was a performance at New York's Lincoln Center. After that, there was a long tour of the cities of America, after which the young musician received many rave reviews, and also became a real star of the classical scene. He began to invite the best orchestras in the world. And the violinist took full advantage of this chance.

Vladimir Spivakov and Moscow Virtuosos

Over the years, he appeared on stage with orchestras in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Philadelphia and many other cities. As a violinist, our today's hero has become very popular. However, at some point, Vladimir Spivakov felt that he was capable of more.
Having reduced the intensity of performances, Vladimir Teodorovich began to study the art of conducting and soon appeared before the enthusiastic audience in a fundamentally new role.

Career of conductor Vladimir Spivakov

As the musician himself admits, his professional development in a new capacity was helped by the experience of working with such famous conductors as E. Svetlanov, M. Rostropovich, R. Muti, E. Mravinsky, K. M. Giulini, C. Abbado and others.

In 1979, our today's hero gathered around him a group of like-minded people, with whom he subsequently began touring the cities of Europe and America. The team was named "Moscow Virtuosi". It is worth noting that to this day Vladimir Spivakov works with him as a conductor, artistic director and soloist.

Vladimir Spivakov and Virtuosi-Brahms-Weng.dance

From the first performances of the orchestra, our today's hero was accompanied by success that has not left him for more than thirty years. Today, Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosos often give concerts in various cities around the world, and also participate in various international festivals. Among the most famous performances are concerts in Salzburg, Edinburgh, New York, Florence and many other regions of the Earth.

It is worth noting that our today's hero also performs as a conductor with other groups. Over the years, he appeared on stage with the Chicago, Cleveland, London, Philadelphia and Budapest orchestras. In addition, the talented musician also performed with the orchestra of the La Scala theater, the musical troupes of the French Radio and the Cologne Philharmonic. For four years, our today's hero was also the head of the Russian National Orchestra.

In January 2003, Vladimir Spivakov headed the now well-known National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, which he once created himself.

Vladimir Spivakov at present

At the moment, the impressive discography of Vladimir Spivakov includes more than forty pieces of music. The range of his musical styles ranges from melodies of the European baroque to the classical author's parts of Kancheli, Prokofiev, Pärt, Schnittke, Shostakovich and many other composers.
Vladimir Spivakov's performances are often held on a charitable basis.

Virtuoso Vladimir Spivakov with his family

For his outstanding contribution to the art of music, our today's hero has been awarded numerous awards. So, in particular, in his personal collection there is the title of People's Artist of the USSR, the Order of Merit of the III degree (Ukraine and Russia), the Order of Friendship of Peoples, the title of Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor, as well as many other regalia.

Currently, Vladimir Spivakov is also touring the world. At the time of writing this article, the conductor, along with his orchestra, was on tour in the CIS countries (Belarus and Ukraine).

Personal life of Vladimir Spivakov

For twenty-eight years, the musician has been married to TV presenter Sati Saakyants (now Spivakova). Vladimir and Satenik have three daughters Ekaterina, Tatyana and Anna. In addition, our today's hero also has an eldest son, Alexander, who was born during the musician's first marriage to pianist Victoria Postnikova.