Rudolf Barshai
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Rudolf Borisovich Barshai (Russian: , born on September 28, 1924) is a Soviet/Russian conductor and viola player.
Barshai was born in Stanitsa Lobinskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. He studied in Moscow Conservatory under Prof. Tseitlin and Borisovsky. He performed solo as a viola player as well as together with Sviatoslav Richter and David Oistrakh. He also performed as a member of trio with Mstislav Rostropovich and Leonid Borisovitch Kogan. He won numerous Soviet and International Competitions. Married in 1954 Anna Martinson, a Russian painter and costume designer, a daughter of one of a popular Soviet comics, Sergey Martinson.
In 1955 he created the famed Moscow Chamber Orchestra, which he led and conducted until he emigrated to Israel in 1977. He was the leader of Israeli Chamber Orchestra, then Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (1982-1986). He has since settled in Switzerland. Barshai has conducted many reputable orchestras including those of Vancouver, the London Symphony, the Royal Philharmonic, the WDR, Stuttgart, Houston, Miami, Cincinnati and many others.
Barshai achieved fame as music interpreter and transcriber of Shostakovich's and Prokofiev's music and as conductor of Gustav Mahler's and Shostakovich's works. Many of his recordings have earned critical acclaim and have won international awards: 1988 Gramophone Awards - Concerto : Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 2, Rudolf Barshai conducting Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; solo: Donohoe (EMI); 2003 Cannes Classical Music Award: Orchestral 20 Century: Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies; Barshai (Brilliant Classics),Editor's Award (ClassicsToday.com): Record of the Year Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies; Barshai (Brilliant Classics).
External links
- [Rudolf Barshai's website]
- [Biography] - in Russian
- [Interview with Barshai] - in English
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