Vladimir Ashkenazy
Background information
Birth name	Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy
Born	July 06, 1937 (1937-07-06) (age 69) Gorky, Russia, USSR
Genre(s)	Classical
Occupation(s)	Conductor, pedagogue, pianist
Years active	1955-present
Associated acts	Czech Philharmonic Deutsches Symphonie NHK Symphony Royal Philharmonic

Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy (Russian: Влади́мир Дави́дович А́шкенази, Vlad'imir Dav'idovič Aškenasi) (b. July 6, 1937) is a conductor and pianist. He has been a citizen of Iceland, the home of his wife Þórunn, since 1972. Portrait of Vladimir Ashkenazy Source http://www. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... The name Gorki or Gorky (Горький) can refer to any of the following things: Leninskie Gorki (Горки) - a village near Moscow where Lenin died in 1924 Nizhny Novgorod (from 1932-1990 called Gorki) Maxim Gorky Arshile Gorky Gorky Park (Novel... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Classical music is a term with three distinct meanings: The European tradition of music which is associated with high culture, as distinct from popular or folk forms (including works in this tradition in non-European countries). ... A conductor conducting a band at a ceremony A conductors score and batons Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. ... In education, teachers are those who teach students or pupils, often a course of study or a practical skill. ... Pianist Claudio Arrau, Carnegie Hall, 1954. ... Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at Rudolfinum Hall in Prague The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (ÄŒeská filharmonie in Czech language) is based in Prague and is probably the most famous and the most internationally respected Czech orchestra. ... The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin is an orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. ... The NHK Symphony Orchestra ) in Tokyo, Japan began as the New Symphony Orchestra on October 5, 1926 and was the countrys first professional symphony orchestra. ... The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is an English orchestra based in London. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... A conductor conducting a band at a ceremony A conductors score and batons Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. ... Pianist Claudio Arrau, Carnegie Hall, 1954. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

Biography

Ashkenazy was born in Gorky, Russia, USSR to an Ashkenazi Jewish father and a Russian Orthodox mother, Ashkenazy began his studies at the age of six and, showing prodigious talent, was accepted at the Central Music School at eight. A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, he won second prize in the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1955 and the first price in the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels in 1956. He shared the first prize in the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition. The name Gorki or Gorky (Горький) can refer to any of the following things: Leninskie Gorki (Горки) - a village near Moscow where Lenin died in 1924 Nizhny Novgorod (from 1932-1990 called Gorki) Maxim Gorky Arshile Gorky Gorky Park (Novel... Ashkenazi Jews, also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim (אַשְׁכֲּנָזִי אַשְׁכֲּנָזִים Standard Hebrew, AÅ¡kanazi,AÅ¡kanazim, Tiberian Hebrew, ʾAÅ¡kănāzî, ʾAÅ¡kănāzîm, pronounced sing. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination... The Russian Orthodox Church (Русская Православная церковь) is that body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with... The Moscow Conservatory (Московская Государственная Консерватория им. П.И.Чайковского) is a prominent music school in Russia. ... The International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition is one of the oldest and the most prestigious piano competition in the world, organized in Warsaw since 1927 and held every 5 years since 1955. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Queen Elisabeth music Competition, a founder member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (1957) has been, since its foundation, considered the world over to be one of the most prestigious, but also one of the most difficult in existence. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... The International Tchaikovsky Competition is one of the most prestigious classical music competitions in the world. ...

Career

Vladimir Ashkenazy is renowned for his performances of Romantic and Russian composers. He has recorded the complete 24 Preludes and Fugues of Shostakovich, Scriabin's sonatas, Rachmaninoff's, Chopin's and Schumann's entire works for piano, Beethoven's piano sonatas, as well as the piano concertos of Mozart, Beethoven, Bartók, Prokofiev. He has also performed and recorded chamber music. He continues to record and perform internationally. The 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. ... Dmitri Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ... Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin (Russian: Александр Николаевич Скрябин, Aleksandr Nikolaevič Skrjabin; sometimes transliterated as Skryabin (6 January 1872 – 27 April 1915) was a Russian modernist composer and pianist. ... Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Russian: , Sergej Vasilevič Rakhmaninov, 1 April 1873 (N.S.) or 20 March 1873 (O.S.) – 28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, one of the last great champions of the Romantic style of European classical music. ... The only known photograph of Frédéric Chopin, believed to have been taken by Louis-Auguste Bisson in 1849. ... For others with the same name see Robert Schumann (disambiguation). ... A portrait by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 Ludwig van Beethoven (IPA: ), (baptised December 17, 1770[1] – March 26, 1827) was a German composer. ... Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (IPA: , baptized Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart) (January 27, 1756 – December 5, 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. ... Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770 – March 26, 1827) was a German composer of Classical music, the predominant musical figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras. ... Béla Bartók in 1927 Béla Viktor János Bartók (March 25, 1881 – September 26, 1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist and collector of Eastern European and Middle Eastern folk music. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokofijev; April 27 (April 151 O.S.), 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ...

Midway through his pianistic career, Ashkenazy branched into conducting. He has particularly been praised for his recordings of orchestral works by Sibelius, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Scriabin. Johan Julius Christian Jean/Janne Sibelius ( ; December 8, 1865 – September 20, 1957) was a Finnish composer of classical music and one of the most notable composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ... Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Russian: , Sergej Vasilevič Rakhmaninov, 1 April 1873 (N.S.) or 20 March 1873 (O.S.) – 28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, one of the last great champions of the Romantic style of European classical music. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokofijev; April 27 (April 151 O.S.), 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... Dmitri Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ... Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin (Russian: Александр Николаевич Скрябин, Aleksandr Nikolaevič Skrjabin; sometimes transliterated as Skryabin (6 January 1872 – 27 April 1915) was a Russian modernist composer and pianist. ...

He was the principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1987 to 1994, and was principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra from 1998 to 2003. He became musical director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2004. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is an English orchestra based in London. ... Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at Rudolfinum Hall in Prague The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Česká filharmonie in Czech language) is based in Prague and is probably the most famous and most internationally respected Czech orchestra. ... The NHK Symphony Orchestra (NHK交響楽団) in Tokyo, Japan began as the New Symphony Orchestra on October 5, 1926 and was the countrys first professional orchestra. ...

Besides these positions, Ashkenazy is conductor laureate of the Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor laureate of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, and music director of the European Union Youth Orchestra, with which he performs regularly. The Philharmonia is an orchestra based in London. ... Sinfóníuhljómsveit Íslands or the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (ISO) is widely considered to be one of the leading Nordic orchestras, continues to attract audiences through its high standards of performance coupled with innovative programming. ...

Ashkenazy has also appeared in several Christopher Nupen music films, conducting extracts from the composer profiled, including Respighi and Tchaikovsky and performing at the piano. Ottorino Respighi (born in Bologna on July 9, 1879, died in Rome on April 18, 1936) was an Italian composer and musicologist. ... Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский, sometimes transliterated as Piotr, Anglicised as Peter Ilich), (May 7, 1840 – November 6, 1893 (N.S.); April 25, 1840 – October...

On 11 April 2007, his appointment as the next chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony was announced.^[1] He will succeed Gianluigi Gelmetti in January 2009. April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Sydney Symphony Orchestra, now known as the Sydney Symphony, is a symphony orchestra based in Sydney, Australia. ... Gianluigi Gelmetti (born 11 September 1945) is an Italian conductor. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Awards and recognitions

• 1955 International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition, Warsaw (Second prize)^[2]
• 1956 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition for piano, Brussels
• 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition, Moscow
• 2000 Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award, with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducting corps
• Current president of the Rachmaninoff Society.

Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance

• 1979 Beethoven: Sonatas for Violin and Piano
• 1982 Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor
• 1988 Beethoven: The Complete Piano Trios

Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance

• 1986 Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit; Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte; Valses Nobles et Sentimentales
• 2000 Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87

The International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition is one of the oldest and the most prestigious piano competition in the world, organized in Warsaw since 1927 and held every 5 years since 1955. ... The Queen Elisabeth music Competition, a founder member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (1957) has been, since its foundation, considered the world over to be one of the most prestigious, but also one of the most difficult in existence. ... The International Tchaikovsky Competition is one of the most prestigious classical music competitions in the world. ... The Prague Society for International Cooperation is a Central European policy organization located in Prague, Czech Republic. ... The Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance has been awarded since 1959. ... The 21st Grammy Awards were held in 1979, and were broadcast live on American television. ... A portrait by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 Ludwig van Beethoven (IPA: ), (baptised December 17, 1770[1] – March 26, 1827) was a German composer. ... The 24th Grammy Awards were held in 1982, and were broadcast live on American television. ... Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr (Peter) Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Пётр Ильич Чайкoвский, Pëtr Il’ič ÄŒajkovskij;  )[1] (7 May [O.S. 25 April] 1840 – 6 November [O.S. 25 October] 1893), was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. ... The 30th Grammy Awards were held March 2, 1988. ... A portrait by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 Ludwig van Beethoven (IPA: ), (baptised December 17, 1770[1] – March 26, 1827) was a German composer. ... The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra) has been awarded since 1959. ... The 28th Grammy Awards were held in 1986. ... Maurice Ravel in 1912. ... The 42nd Grammy Awards were held on February 23, 2000. ... Dmitri Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ...

Reference

• Ashkenazy, Vladimir; Parrott, Jasper (1985). Beyond Frontiers. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 0689115059. 

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Vladimir Ashkenazy at All Music Guide
• Vladimir Ashkenazy at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
• Vladimir Ashkenazy at the Philharmonia Orchestra, London
• An interview with Ashkenazy on Shostakovich