Home > Artists > Vladimir Ashkenazy

BIOGRAPHY

Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser: Sydney Symphony
Music Director: European Union Youth Orchestra
Conductor Laureate: Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor Laureate: NHK Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Laureate: Iceland Symphony Orchestra

One of the most outstanding pianists of the 20th century, Vladimir Ashkenazy continues to record piano repertoire for Decca. His most recent release is a disc of Bach Partitas. 

Conducting has formed the largest part of his activities for the past 20 years. In January 2009 he took up the new position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser to the Sydney Symphony, collaborating with them on extensive recording projects and international tours each year. Ashkenazy is Conductor Laureate of the Philharmonia, Iceland Symphony and NHK Symphony orchestras and Music Director of the European Union Youth Orchestra. He maintains strong links with major orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, as well as making guest appearances with leading ensembles all over the world.

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REVIEWS

“Suddenly, music that is often experienced as though being viewed through a surgical observation window comes surging off the page with a passion to have one reassessing its emotional raison d’étre.” (International Piano, November/December 2009)

“Ashkenazy stresses the lyricism as well as the anguish of Suk’s score; this is a performance of great dignity and nobility, with fine attention to detail.” (BBC Music Magazine, July 2009)

“The music crackles with cinematic fervour, as the story spills out in a headlong rush accompanied by brilliantly coloured orchestral textures. This is Ashkenazy's strong suit as a conductor - he's never more persuasive than when wrangling an oversized orchestral score through its paces - and he brought fervour and splash to the performance.” (San Francisco Chronicle, March 2009)