Vladimir Ashkenazy
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Biography
Six times Grammy Award winning pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy grew up in Gorky in the Soviet Union, the son of well known Russian composer David Ashkenazy and the actress Yevstolia Grigorievna. As a student he won numerous prestigious classical music competitions including the coveted International Tchaikovsky Competition. This was during the height of the Cold War and like many artists who had the opportunity to travel to foreign countries, the young Ashkenazy was put under pressure from the KGB to spy on his hosts, something Ashkenazy was reluctant to do.
Ashkenazy had a difficult relationship with the Rusian authorities and eventually he left the USSR permanently, relocating to London in 1963 before eventually becoming an Icelandic citizen when he married Icelandic classical pianist Ãórunn Jóhannsdóttir. Ashkenazy has a versatile command of a wide-ranging piano repertoire and has recorded many solo works as well as numerous piano concertos. He is known for his trademark white turtle-neck sweater worn during live performances, eschewing the more traditional concert pianist's attire of bow tie. As well as his obvious talents as a pianist Ashkenazy is also a respected conductor and was principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1987 to 1994.
In July 2013 he was appointed director of the Accademia Pianistica Internazionale di Imola, with whom his recordings as a conductor include the complete symphonies of Sibelius and of Rachmaninoff as well as orchestral works by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Stravinsky. From 2004 to 2007 he served as music director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra and was chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2013.
Loyal to Decca Records throughout his career, the label chose to honour him in 2013, on his 50th anniversary with them, by releasing 'Vladimir Ashkenazy: 50 Years on Decca' which featured 50 of Ashkenazy's recordings as both a pianist and a conductor. In 2017, to mark his 80th birthday, Decca released the 'Complete Piano Concerto Recordings' and 'Ashkenazy on Vinyl'.
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Albums
Vladimir Ashkenazy
J.S. Bach: English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: 7. Gavotte II & Gavotte I Da Capo
FEATURED
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Ashkenazy Plays Chopin: Sonata No. 3, Barcarolle, Waltzes, Mazurkas, Ãtudes Op. 10
FEATURED
André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4; Paganini Variations
FEATURED
Vladimir Ashkenazy/Riccardo Chailly/Charles Dutoit
Stravinsky: The Complete Ballets & Symphonies
FEATURED
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 - 2. Andantino
- Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 - 5. Finale (Il più vivace possibile)
- Schumann: 3 Romanzen, Op. 28 - No. 1 in B flat minor (Sehr markiert)
- Schumann: 3 Romanzen, Op. 28 - No. 2 in F sharp (Einfach)
- Schumann: 3 Romanzen, Op. 28 - No. 3 in B (Sehr markiert)
- 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
- 4. Rondo (Allegro moderato)
- Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 - 2. Romanze (Piuttosto lento)
- Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 - 4. Intermezzo (Colla più grande energia)
- Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 - 1. Allegro (Vivace assai)
- Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54: I. Allegro affettuoso featuring London Symphony Orchestra
- Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 - 3. Allegro vivace featuring London Symphony Orchestra
- Introduction & Allegro Appassionato for piano & orchestra, Op.92: Introduction & Allegro Appassionat by London Symphony Orchestra
- Schumann: Concert Allegro with Introduction in D Minor, Op. 134 featuring London Symphony Orchestra
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - 14. Geschwindmarsch
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - 13. Scherzo
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - 12. Abendsmusik
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - 11. Marsch
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - 10. Praeludium
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - 9. Novellette
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - Albumblätter V. Langsam
- Schumann: Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 - Albumblätter IV. Sehr langsam
- Schumann: Nachtstücke, Op. 23 - 4. Einfach
- Schumann: Nachtstücke, Op. 23 - 3. Mit grosser Lebhaftigkeit
