Yuri Abramovich Bashmet (genus. People's Artist of the USSR, Laureate of the State Prize of the USSR and 4 State Prizes of Russia, and winner of the Grammy.
There are many interesting facts in the biography of Bashmet, which we will tell about in this article.
So, before you is a short biography of Yuri Bashmet.
Biography of Bashmet
Yuri Bashmet was born on January 24, 1953 in Rostov-on-Don. He grew up and was raised in a Jewish family.
The musician's father, Abram Borisovich, was a railway engineer. Mother, Maya Zelikovna, worked in the educational department of the Lviv Conservatory.
Childhood and youth
When Yuri was 5 years old, he and his parents moved to Lviv. It was in this city that he spent his childhood and youth.
During this period of his biography, Bashmet graduated from a local music school. An interesting fact is that his mother was able to consider the musical talent in the boy. It was she who wanted her son to receive an appropriate education.
It is worth noting that initially my mother wanted to send Yuri to a violin group. But when it turned out that the "violin" group had already been recruited, she took him to the violists. In addition to this, he also studied guitar.
After graduating from music school in 1971, Bashmet left for Moscow, where he entered the Moscow Conservatory. After that, his high-profile career began.
Music
Yuri's special talent began to manifest itself in the second year of study at the conservatory. Even then, the eccentric violist was entrusted with performing in the Great Hall of the Conservatory.
This performance brought Bashmet recognition from teachers and music critics. When he was 19 he bought an 18th century viola made by the Italian master Paolo Testore. He continues to play this instrument to this day.
It is curious that for the viola, Yuri had to pay a large sum for those times - 1,500 rubles!
In 1976, Bashmet began performing at the most famous venues in Russia and European countries. He was the first musician in history to perform viola recitals at Carnegie Hall, La Scala, Barbican, Suntory Hall and other world-famous venues.
Yuri Bashmet's playing was so bright that he became the first violist in the last 230 years who was allowed to play the great Mozart on the viola in Salzburg. He was honored with this honor due to the fact that a Russian was the first musician in history who was able to use the viola as a solo instrument.
In 1985, another significant event took place in Bashmet's biography. He performed as a conductor for the first time. The fact is that his friend, conductor Valery Gergiev, could not come to the concert in France.
Then Gergiev suggested that Yuri replace him. After much persuasion, Bashmet agreed to "pick up the wand." Suddenly he really liked to lead the orchestra, as a result of which he continued to work in this role.
In 1986, the musician founded the Moscow Soloists chamber ensemble, which became very famous. The ensemble began giving concerts abroad, which gathered full houses.
During a tour in France, the ensemble betrayed Bashmet: the musicians decided to stay in the country, deciding not to return to Russia. Yuri Abramovich returned home himself, after which he created a new team, which gained no less popularity.
In 1994 Bashmet became the founder of the first Russian International Viola Competition. Soon he was entrusted with the post of president of a similar English competition.
In addition, Yuri Bashmet was a member of the judging team of music festivals held in Munich and Paris. In 2002, he became Principal Conductor and Director of the New Russia Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.
In 2004, the maestro organized a personalized Yuri Bashmet International Festival, which was successfully held in the capital of Belarus. In subsequent years, he was twice awarded the TEFI prize for the author's program Dream Station.
Bashmet regularly gives recitals. It is interesting that he owns virtually the entire viola repertoire. At concerts, the musician performs works by domestic and foreign composers, including Schubert, Bach, Shostakovich, Schnittke, Brahms and many others.
Yuri Abramovich has achieved great success in teaching. He conducts master classes in various states.
Bashmet is founder and president of the International Viola Competition of Britain and the Russian Federation. Several biographical films have been shot about him by both Russian and foreign directors.
Personal life
Yuri Bashmet is married to violinist Natalya Timofeevna. The couple met in their student years and after that they never parted.
In this union, the couple had a girl Xenia and a boy Alexander. Having matured, Ksenia became a professional pianist, while Alexander received a degree in economics.
Yuri Bashmet today
In 2017, Bashmet gave a number of joint concerts with the Night Snipers group led by Diana Arbenina. As a result, the concerts of such an original duo were always attended by many spectators.
Music critics praised the project, noting the harmony of rock musicians and a symphony orchestra.
Bashmet Photos
