Moscow Virtuosi

In 2009 the renowned "Virtuosi of Moscow" orchestra is 30 years old.

Vladimir Spivakov had long dreamed of creating an orchestra of like-minded people in which each musician was proficient enough to be able to play both as a soloist and as a member of the ensemble. His dream came true in 1979: the orchestra, which was named "Virtuosi of Moscow", brought together holders of state awards, winners of nationwide competitions, and leading musicians from the capital´s orchestras. Vladimir Spivakov, who founded the orchestra, also became its principal conductor and soloist.
After taking part in international festivals in Spain and Germany in the 1979 and 1980 seasons, the "Virtuosi" were recognised as an orchestra of international stature, and soon became one of the most popular musical groups in the Soviet Union. In 1982 the "Virtuosi of Moscow" received the official title of "State Chamber Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture". In the course of its 30-year history the orchestra has won deserved international recognition and has been a worthy ambassador for the Russian performing school all over the world.
The "Virtuosi of Moscow" have toured extensively throughout the world. They appear not only in the most prestigious locations, such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Royal Festival Hall and the Albert Hall in London, the Salle Pleyel and the Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris, the Carnegie Hall and the Avery Fisher Hall in New York, and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, but also in modest concert halls in small provincial towns.
At various times the orchestra has performed with such outstanding musicians as Mstislav Rostropovich, Yury Bashmet, Yevgeny Kissin, Vladimir Kraynev, Yelena Obraztsova, Yehudi Menuhin, Pinchas Zukerman, Shlomo Mintz and Mikhail Pletnev, among others.
On many occasions the "Virtuosi of Moscow" have taken part in leading international music festivals in Salzburg (Austria), Edinburgh (Scotland), Florence and Pompeii (Italy), Lucerne and Gstaad (Switzerland), Rheingau and Schleswig-Holstein (Germany), and many others.
The "Virtuosi of Moscow" have recorded extensively on the BMG/RCA Victor Red Seal label. They have around 30 CDs to their credit, featuring music of various styles and periods.