Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy was born on July 6, 1937, in Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky). His father, named David Ashkenazi, was a popular concert pianist in the Soviet Union. His mother, named Evstolia Grigoryevna (nee Plotnova), was also a musician. Young Ashkenazy studied piano at the Central School of Music in Moscow. In 1952, then 14-year-old, Askenazy premiered the 3rd piano concerto by Dmitri Kabalevsky. In 1955 he won the 2nd prize at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. In 1956 he won the 1st prize at the Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition in Brussels. From 1958-1963 he studied at the Moscow Conservatory under renown pianist Lev Oborin. In 1961 Askenazy married his fellow student Thorunn Joannsdottir and they had a son, Vladimir, born in Moscow. Mr. Ashkenazy became the citizen of Iceland in 1972.

Vladimir Askenazy shot to fame after he won the 1st prize at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1962. The same year he gave successful piano recitals in London. In 1963 he emigrated from USSR to Britain. There he began a successful career as a conductor. Since 1981 Ashkenazy was appointed Conductor of the Royal Symphony Orchestra, and from 1987-1994 he was Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Royal Symphony Orchestra in London. At the same time, From 1989-1999 Ashkenazy was Principal Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. From 1998-2003 Vladimir Ashkenazy was Music Director of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic. Since 2004 he started a three-year contract as Music Director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo, Japan.

Vladimir Ashkenazy is currently President of the Rachmaninoff Society. His interpretations of piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff are among the best. He also made many other critically acclaimed recordings of piano music including all concertos of Ludwig van Beethoven. He received several Grammy awards as well as other international awards and prizes for his studio recordings and concert performances. His recording of 24 preludes and fugues by Dmitri Shostakovich brought him another Grammy award in 1999. Mr. Ashkenazy is Conductor-Laureat with the Iceland Symphony Orchestrathe, he is also Music Director of Youth Orchestra of the European Union.

Valeriy Sokolov, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Chamber Orchestra of Europe: Sibelius Violin Concerto, Schumann Symphony No. 2

Jean Sibelius 1865 - 1957: Maturity and Silence

Listening Through the Lens: The Christopher Nupen Films

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Vladimir Ashkenazy

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