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Michael KugelRussian violist
Date of Birth: 05.12.1946
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Russian Violist with an International Career
- International Success
- Years in Moscow
- Immigration and Career in Belgium
- Recordings and Compositions
- Literary Contributions
- Return to Moscow
Russian Violist with an International Career
Early Life and EducationYuri Bashmet was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. He graduated from the Kharkiv Music School and the Leningrad Conservatory.
International Success
In 1975, Bashmet shared the first prize at the International Viola Competition in Budapest with Zoltán Tóth of Hungary. This prestigious award marked the beginning of his international recognition.
Years in Moscow
From 1975 to 1990, Bashmet served as a soloist with the Moscow State Philharmonic Orchestra and was also a member of the Beethoven Quartet. He taught at the Moscow Conservatory during this time.
Immigration and Career in Belgium
In 1990, Bashmet emigrated to Israel, where he spent six years as a professor at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. In 1996, he moved to Belgium and became a professor at the Ghent and Maastricht Conservatories.
Recordings and Compositions
Bashmet has made numerous recordings, both in the Soviet Union and after his emigration. Notable works include his album dedicated to Dmitri Shostakovich, which featured Shostakovich's Sonata for Viola and Piano, as well as Bashmet's own "Suite in Memory of Shostakovich" for viola and piano. Bashmet has also composed several other works for viola, including the "Sonata-Poem" for viola solo, "Classical Preludes" for viola and piano, and "Venetian Carnival" for viola and piano.
Literary Contributions
In 2002, Bashmet published a book titled "History of an Era: An Interpretation of Two Works for Viola," which explores the interpretation of Shostakovich's Viola Sonata and Béla Bartók's Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.
Return to Moscow
After a 20-year hiatus, Bashmet returned to Moscow in 2009 to perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola with Liana Isakadze.
