The name of Yuri Bashmet has long been synonymous with musical depth, virtuosity and artistic courage. His creative victories are multiplying day by day, and accomplishments over the years look more significant. One of them, of course, requires italics:
Yuri Bashmet turned a modest viola into a brilliant solo instrument.
Contemporary composers specially for Yuri Bashmet have written or dedicated more than 50 viola concerts and other works. Among them: “Concert” (World premiere in Concertgebouw, Amsterdam) and “Monologue” (World premiere in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory) A. Schnittke, “The Moor Thunder” by D. Tavener (World premiere in London), “Liturgy “(World premiere in Tbilisi) and” Styx “(World premiere in Amsterdam) G. Kancheli,” Concert “by P. Ruders (World premiere in Copenhagen),” Concert for Three “(dedicated to M. Rostropovich, Y. Bashmet, G. Kremer, World premiere in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory) A. Schnittke, “Concerto for Violin and Viola” by A. Previn (World premiere in H “Concert” by S. Gubaidulina, Concert by E. Denisov, Concert by A. Raskatov (world premiere in Rotterdam), M. Pletnev’s “Concert”, A. Golovin’s “Sonata-breve”, two ” Concert “by A. Tchaikovsky,” Concert “by A. Eshpai …
He performed on the viola everything that was possible and what seemed impossible; Moreover, his work expanded the composer horizons: more than 50 viola concerts and other works were written or dedicated to him by contemporary composers specially for Yuri Bashmet.
For the first time in world performing practice, Yuri Bashmet gave solo viola concerts in Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Barbican (London), Berlin Philharmonic, La Scala (Milan), Theater on the Champs Elysees (Paris), Concerthouse Berlin), Hercules (Munich), Boston Symphony Hall, Santori Hall (Tokyo), Osaka Symphony Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, Gulbekyan Center (Lisbon), the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.
Starting in 1985 his conductor’s activity, Yuri Bashmet remained true to himself here, confirming the reputation of a bold, sharp, very modern artist. As a soloist and conductor, Yuri Bashmet performs with the best symphony orchestras: Veglin Rhilharmonic, Veglin Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Vaurische Rundfunk, San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Wiener Philharmonic, Orchestra Radio France.
He collaborated with many outstanding conductors, among them R. Kubelik, M. Rostropovich, S. Ozawa, V. Gergiev, G. Rozhdestvensky, K. Davis, D. E. Gardiner, I. Menukhin, Sh. Dutua, N. Marriner , P. Sacher, MT Thomas, K. Mazur, B. Haitink, C. Nagano, S. Rattle, J. Temirkanov, N. Arnoncourt.
The art of Yuri Bashmet is constantly in the center of attention of the world musical community. His work is marked by numerous awards at home and abroad. He was awarded the honorary titles: Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1983), People’s Artist of the USSR (1991), Laureate of the State Prize of the USSR (1986), State Prizes of Russia (1994, 1996, 2001), Award 1993 Prize – “Best Instrumentalist of the Year” (the title is akin to the cinematic “Oscar”). Yu. Bashmet – Honorary Academician of the London Academy of Arts. In 1995 he was awarded one of the most prestigious awards in the world “Sonnings Musikfond”.
Yuri Bashmet is the founder of the first and only Russian International Violist Competition in Moscow. He is also the president of the L.Tertis International Viola Competition in England.
In 1999, Yuri Bashmet was awarded the title of Officer of Arts and Literature, and in 2003 – Commander of the Order of the “Legion of Honor” of France. He was awarded the highest order of the Republic of Lithuania, in 2000 the President of Italy awards him with the Order “Commendatore republica Italiano”, and in 2002 the President of Russia presents the order “For Services to the Fatherland” of the third degree. In 2013, the maestro was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree.
Yuri Bashmet is the artistic director of 15 festivals in 8 countries.
In 2012, Yuri Bashmet founded the All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra, which with great success acts both in Russia and abroad.
Since 1978, Yuri Bashmet teaches at the Moscow Conservatory, being first an assistant professor, and now a professor and head of the Moscow Conservatory.