Vakhtang Jordania Georgian-American conductor. Date of Birth: 09.12.1942 Country: Georgia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Assistant to Yevgeny Mravinsky and Early Conducting Roles
3. Chief Conductor in the USSR and Film Scoring
4. Artistic and Academic Leadership in Ukraine
5. Defection and Debut in the United States
6. Leadership and Collaborations in the United States
7. Russian Federal Symphony Orchestra
8. Legacy and Competition in Ukraine
9. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Vakhtang Zhordania, a Georgian-American conductor, harbored a passion for conducting from a young age after attending a concert by Willy Ferrero in the USSR at age nine. Despite his early interest, he initially pursued piano at the Tbilisi Conservatory before transitioning to conducting studies at the Leningrad Conservatory under Eduard Grikurov, graduating in 1969.

Assistant to Yevgeny Mravinsky and Early Conducting Roles

From 1970 to 1973, Zhordania served as an assistant to Yevgeny Mravinsky with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1971, he achieved significant recognition by winning first prize at the Herbert von Karajan International Conducting Competition.

Chief Conductor in the USSR and Film Scoring

Between 1973 and 1974, Zhordania led the Leningrad Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra as its chief conductor. He also made notable contributions by recording soundtracks for Soviet films such as "Straw Hat," "The Star of Compelling Happiness," and "Dersu Uzala."

Artistic and Academic Leadership in Ukraine

From 1974 to 1977, Zhordania was the chief conductor of the Saratov Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and taught as an associate professor at the Saratov Conservatory. He then moved to the Kharkiv Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra as its chief conductor and artistic director from 1977 to 1983, concurrently serving as a professor at the Kharkiv Institute of Arts. During this time, he conducted over 100 concerts annually, including special performances at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the Laureates' Concerts of the International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Defection and Debut in the United States

In 1983, Zhordania embarked on a tour to Finland with his then-girlfriend, violinist Victoria Mullova. They seized the opportunity to illegally cross into Sweden and seek political asylum. His departure from Kharkiv deeply saddened the musical community.

Zjordania made his Carnegie Hall debut with the American Symphony Orchestra in November 1983, captivating the audience, according to a critic for "The New York Times."

Leadership and Collaborations in the United States

Zhordania primarily resided and worked in the United States. He led the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and Opera from 1985 to 1992, elevating their artistry and attracting renowned soloists like Itzhak Perlman and Jean-Pierre Rampal. He also conducted the Spokane Symphony from 1991 to 1993.

Zjordania collaborated with South Korean orchestras, serving as guest conductor for the Korean Radio Symphony Orchestra and making premiere recordings of works by Alan Hovhaness. From 2002, he became chief conductor and artistic director of the Daegu City Symphony Orchestra.

Russian Federal Symphony Orchestra

From 1995, Zhordania headed the Russian Federal Symphony Orchestra. While some praised its performances, others raised concerns about its direction.

Legacy and Competition in Ukraine

In 2001, Zhordania established the Vakhtang Zhordania – Third Millennium International Conducting Competition in Kharkiv, which he largely funded personally and chaired for its first two years.

Personal Life

His eldest son, George Zhordania, has also become a renowned conductor.