Biography. Vladimir Spivakov: “every person’s life is a sacrifice” Famous Russian conductor Spivakov

Sati Spivakova is a famous actress of the Soviet Union and Russia, a successful TV presenter, as well as the wife of the famous and talented violinist and conductor Vladimir Spivakov. An example of life with harmonious coexistence as a mother, wife and successful woman is demonstrated by Sati Spivakova. Biography and photos are given in the article.

Childhood

Sati Spivakova (Sahakyants), whose biography will be described in this article, was born in Yerevan, into a creative and musical family. Her grandmother lived in Rostov, although she was Armenian. She had an amazingly beautiful voice and often sang. Actually, it was there that the girl’s grandfather fell in love with her. During the war, they left for Armenia, where it was calmer. The father of the Yerevan beauty was born there.

Zare Sahakyants, Sati's dad, is a famous violinist in Armenia. Mother, Aida Avetisova, is a pianist. Spivakova's childhood was filled with music and love. In her memoirs, the TV presenter noted that she associated her childhood with the sound of the violin, with preparations for the New Year celebration, with the beautiful city of Yerevan and the Zare chamber orchestra.

But Sati doesn’t like to celebrate her birthday. All because in 1986, on the eve of this day, her father died, and the funeral took place on January 7, when Sati Spivakova was born (the biography indicates the year of birth as 1962).

Youth

Considering that Sati comes from a musical family, she could not avoid the appropriate education. In parallel with her studies at a regular high school, the girl studied at a specialized music school. She played the piano. According to the TV presenter herself, these activities did not give her much pleasure. She dreamed of becoming an actress. She was attracted to poetry, and poetry evenings were often held in the house.

It was at this time that two dreams of working with brilliant directors arose in Spivakova’s soul: G. A. Tovstonogov and R. G. Viktyuk. The first was not allowed to come true, and the second was performed quite recently on the stage of one of the Moscow theaters, where Viktyuk staged a one-man show “Tenderness” with the participation of Sati Spivakova.

After graduating from school, in 1979, young Sati told her parents that she was leaving for Moscow to enter the theater institute. She applied to all universities, but only got into GITIS.

Education

Because of her pronounced Armenian appearance, Sati was unable to enter the Shchukin School, but GITIS accepted her immediately (there were quotas for the union republics).

Sati Spivakova, whose biography tells about different stages of her life, took a course with Tumanov at GITIS. The manager treated the girl with understanding, who was offered her first film role, and immediately the main one. Usually students were prohibited from filming, but she managed to go to classes and fly to Armenia for filming. The girl had such a crazy schedule for more than two months. But after completing work on the film, according to Sati’s recollections, Tumanov began to respect her.

Unfortunately, soon I. M. Tumanov died, Sati went on academic leave for another film, and returned to the course with the director O. Ya. Remez, who did not trust her role even in the second cast. The girl completely lost interest in studying.

At this time, she meets her future husband, Vladimir Spivakov. Ridiculous rumors are spreading around Moscow about their connection, and the course director refuses to give the role of Sati in the graduation performance, citing the fact that Spivakov will be able to place her anywhere without a GITIS diploma.

Still, they gave the role of Sati. Almost silent, with a four-word line. Sati Sahakyants was terribly disappointed by this turn of events, but she managed to pass all the final exams and receive a diploma. And then she began a completely different life, the life of a mother, wife, housewife.

A few years after the birth of her first daughter, the actress studied at the Sorbonne for six months.

Career

Sati began her career as an actress in 1980 with the role of Miriam in the film “Lyrical March”. Armenian director Agasi Ayvazyan invited a GITIS student to play the dramatic role of a girl who sacrifices the life of her husband, who was arrested for breaking the law, for the sake of a Bolshevik political prisoner. Everything takes place in 1918. In the credits, Sati is listed under her maiden name Sahakyants.

After some time, Spivakova successfully auditioned for a film directed by Marat Varzhapetyan. And again the main role. The opera film "Anush" was released in 1983 and brought Sati fame in her native Armenia and other republics of the Soviet Union.

Sati Spivakova, whose biography is rich in working with Armenian directors, also received her third role in a film produced in her native country. It was the 1986 family comedy "Other People's Games."

After this film, Sati's career as an actress faded into the background. Now, first and foremost, she was a mother and wife. After her father's death, she lived for some time in Yerevan with her mother. There she was again invited to film, but Spivakova’s husband was against this idea, and she had to forget about her ambitions.

The biography of Sati Spivakova is unique in the sense that after a colossal break in her career, she still managed to realize her acting and speaking talent. She starred in a feature film directed by Renata Litvinova. The role in “Rita’s Last Fairy Tale” was the fourth in the actress’s film career.

In addition, Sati turned out to be an excellent TV presenter. Her first program was released under the name "Sati". The guests were famous people from the art world, and the purpose of this talk show was to portray the hero from an unknown side.

Sati Spivakova, whose biography tells about her brilliant work on the country's leading television channels, began filming her program right in her apartment. At first it was broadcast on the "Culture" channel, then ORT allocated a studio for Sati and put the program on air. According to the presenter herself, she was taken on television because of her husband’s famous surname. Despite this, among the heroes of her show were Lyudmila Gurchenko, Tatyana Tarasova, Gennady Khazanov, Elton John and many others.

Sati Spivakova is very proud of another interview program. It aired on the "Culture" channel under the name "Tuning Fork". More than 60 episodes were filmed. Even those who had never given an interview before (Evgeny Kissin, Jose Carreras) visited Sati. After numerous months of work, Spivakova realized that there would be nothing new in this program. It had to be closed.

Her next work took place in a completely new format - musical. Also on the “Culture” channel there was a program “Unboring Classics” with Sati Spivakova. There, the presenter discussed topical issues with musicians, composers and classical music performers. Moreover, the conversations were often conducted in a non-professional language, so that a simple viewer without a musical education would understand and be imbued with the topics raised.

Family

The biography of Sati Spivakova surprises with her long and unbreakable marriage, which has lasted for more than thirty years. The more surprising is the story of their acquaintance and the development of their relationship. It should be noted that Vladimir Spivakov’s marriage to Sati was not his first, and he is almost twenty years older than his current wife. This is probably why, when Vladimir saw the girl for the first time, he realized that in front of him was his future wife, Sati Spivakova. Vladimir Spivakov’s biography and personal life were already stormy at that time, but for the sake of Sati he gave up his title of Casanova.

Dating history

Sati and Vladimir met each other in absentia. She first saw him on television, where he performed as part of the Moscow Virtuosi. After some time, the group visited Armenia on tour, and since among the “virtuosos” there were many friends of Sati’s father, the company gathered at Sahakyants’ home.

It was at that moment that Vladimir saw the girl of his dreams. True, not live, but in photographs. It was a small exhibition of photographs from the film "Anush", where Sati played the national heroine. Spivakov admits that looking at this girl with beautiful eyes and long braids, he felt that this was his future wife.

Sati Spivakova and Vladimir Spivakov met for the first time after the Virtuosi concert in Moscow. Everything happened behind the scenes, and this acquaintance was not romantic. Sati thanked her for the wonderful concert, Vladimir gave her an autograph, and administrators, the director, and the make-up artist were fussing around. They didn't really manage to talk. However, Spivakov offered to meet after his return from tour.

Their second meeting took place about a month later while visiting a mutual friend. And there was no romance either. After the tea party, Vladimir volunteered to give Sati a ride home, and they got lost. So we drove the car for half the night, almost without saying a word. Getting out of the car, the girl asked to call her as soon as Vladimir got home. He did just that. That night they talked on the phone for almost five hours. They chatted about everything and nothing, read poetry to each other, Spivakov talked a lot about himself.

The next day, he went on tour again for almost a month and vowed to call on April 18, when he returned home. Sati felt an irresistible attraction to this man, but did not want to make a mistake. Therefore, she waited for the 18th as if it were judgment day. If Spivakov had not called, the love story would not have happened. But late in the evening the phone rang. They agreed to meet the next day at the Pushkin monument. Sati realized that Vladimir is the man with whom she will spend her whole life.

Wedding

For a long time, Vladimir Spivakov’s entourage did not accept the girl into their society; they looked down on her and nodded condescendingly when they met. However, the Armenian girl won this confrontation and proved that she deserves to be the wife of this talented man. With dignity that can be envied, she bore the name Sati Spivakova. The biography, in which children occupy a dominant place, has opened a new chapter.

For a year after they met, the lovers lived in Vladimir’s small apartment on Vernadsky Avenue. Sati waited a long time for a marriage proposal from Spivakov, but he was in no hurry. He had already been burned by this in the past, and his relatives did not immediately accept Sati into their home.

However, the engagement took place. This decision was made by Vladimir Spivakov due to the fact that the girl could go on assignment to the Yerevan Theater. The wedding was extremely modest, without a crowd of guests. After registering at the registry office, the young couple went to a photo shoot in the park, and then returned home, where a few relatives were waiting for them at the festive table. Sati's father could not come to his daughter's wedding; he was on tour in Germany. Actually, Vladimir Spivakov left for concerts a couple of days later, leaving his wife alone.

Children

Shortly after the wedding, a recent bride realized she was pregnant. Happiness knew no bounds, because she, Sati Spivakova, would soon become a mother. The biography, in which children are of great importance, has acquired new colors. In 1985, the couple had a daughter, Ekaterina.

A few years later, the family moved to France because of Spivakov’s work. Since then, they have lived in two houses: one in Moscow, the other in Paris.

In 1989, the second daughter of the Spivakov couple, Tatyana, was born.

Almost six years later, they had a third child - daughter Anna.

In addition, Vladimir’s niece, the daughter of his deceased sister, Alexandra, was raised in the family.

Sati Spivakova, whose children did not spend much time with their mother, admits that her husband and his opinion always came first for her. During their trips, Spivakova’s mother stayed with the children and brought a lot to their upbringing. According to the TV presenter herself, this lifestyle has taught her girls independence; they can easily overcome life’s difficulties.

Sati Spivakova, whose daughters have long been adults, has always been a liberal mother. She never forbade the children anything, believing that in this way they themselves would be able to find the right answer, the right solution. Even when the eldest daughter Katya changed her long beautiful hair to black dreadlocks, her mother was philosophical about it. And in fact, the girl soon realized that such a style was not for her, and everything returned to its place.

Sati calmly treats her daughters' boyfriends, believing that it is impossible to interfere in children's relationships under any circumstances. The main thing for her is that the girls are happy.

Sati Spivakova and Vladimir Spivakov consider themselves good parents. Their children also followed a creative path. The eldest Ekaterina became a film director and screenwriter, the middle Tatiana became an actress, the youngest daughter also sees herself in the world of art.

Now all the Spivakov daughters live in France. Parents visit them during breaks from their work. Now that the children have grown up, the Armenian beauty can again pursue her career, which is what Sati Spivakova is doing. The biography, the family in which children came first, can again be replenished with significant works in cinema and television.

Awards and titles

In 2012, Spivakova was awarded the prestigious TEFI award in the category “Music programs. Classics” for her work in the program “Unboring Classics” on the Kultura TV channel.

In 2013, Sati was awarded the Order of Friendship. This is a high assessment of her professional activities, fruitful work on television and cinema.

1. Philippine fashion designer A. Alonso made a black and gray wedding dress for the bride of Vladimir Spivakov. However, she went to the altar in a white pantsuit that her groom bought her.
2. Sati has an autograph in her collection from John Galliano, who took part in one of her programs. The designer bought a T-shirt especially for Spivakova and left a friendly wish on it.
3. Vladimir Spivakov is proud of his wife. Despite the presence of three children, Sati Spivakova retained her excellent figure. She hides her height and weight.
4. Sati Spivakova is a natural brunette, but has been dyeing her hair blonde for many years. According to the TV presenter, her current hair color has nothing to do with her state of mind.
5. Sati is on friendly terms with the son of Vladimir Spivakov from his first marriage.
6. Speaks French fluently. As a child, Sati's parents brought many souvenirs from France, including records with songs by Charles Aznavour. The girl fell in love with this culture and promised herself that she would visit Paris and master the language perfectly. And so it happened. Also knows English and Italian at an intermediate level.
7. Sati Spivakova's hobby is reading. Favorite genres include poetry, essays, and memoirs of famous people. He reads Sati in parallel in two languages ​​- Russian and French.
8. Doesn't like to spend a lot of time in beauty salons. Among her favorite procedures, she gives first place to body wraps.
9. Does not accept plastic surgery.
10. Sati Spivakova does not call herself a vegetarian, but she has not eaten meat for many years.
11. Sati does not consider himself a sports person. She doesn't know how to ride a bike, she's never skated or skied, but she can swim pretty well.

Honored Artist of the RSFSR (10/27/1978).
People's Artist of the RSFSR (03/28/1986).
People's Artist of the Armenian SSR (1989).
People's Artist of the USSR (02/28/1990).
People's Artist of Ukraine (1999).
People's Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (2005).
People's Artist of the Republic of Dagestan (2013).
People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan (2014).
Honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts.

Already in 1957, the young musician received first prize at the Leningrad White Nights competition and made his debut on the stage of the Leningrad Conservatory. Ten years later, in 1967, Vladimir Spivakov graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory in the class of Professor Yuri Yankelevich. However, Vladimir Spivakov also calls David Oistrakh a teacher - while studying at the Conservatory, he was a volunteer in his class.

By the end of the conservatory, the talented musician was already known to colleagues from other countries.

In 1975, after triumphant solo performances in the USA, his brilliant international career began. Maestro Spivakov has repeatedly performed and continues to perform as a soloist with the best symphony orchestras and the most famous conductors in the world. Professional criticism of the leading musical powers of the world notes as characteristic features of Vladimir Spivakov's performing style a deep penetration into the author's intention, richness, beauty and volume of sound, subtle nuances, emotional impact on the audience, brilliant artistry, and intelligence. Vladimir Spivakov himself believes that if someone finds the above-listed advantages in his playing, it is, first of all, thanks to the school of his famous teacher Professor Yuri Yankelevich and the creative influence of his second teacher David Oistrakh. However, Yuri Yankelevich Spivakov can be grateful not only for his brilliant school: until 1997, Vladimir Spivakov played the violin made by the master Francesco Gobetti, given to him by Professor Yankelevich. Since 1997, he has been playing a violin made by Antonio Stradivari, given to him for lifelong use by patrons of the arts - fans of his great talent.

1979 is the year of Vladimir Spivakov’s conducting debut with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra. In the same year he created the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra and became its permanent artistic director, chief conductor and soloist. This was preceded by serious and many years of preparatory work and conducting training with the renowned professor Israel Guzman in Russia and the famous conductors Lorin Maazel and Leonard Bernstein in the USA. At the end of his studies, Bernstein gave Spivakov his baton, thereby symbolically blessing him as a novice but promising conductor. Since then, the Maestro has never parted with this conducting baton.

In 1983, the orchestra received the official name “State Chamber Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture “Moscow Virtuosi””. Over the 25 years of its existence, “Moscow Virtuosi”, under the leadership of Vladimir Teodorovich, have toured almost all major cities of the former USSR, Europe, the USA and Japan, took part in the most famous international music festivals, such as Salzburg, Edinburgh, Florentine May, New York, Tokyo, Pompeii, Lucerne, Colmar.

Spivakov's career as a conductor is developing no worse than Spivakov's as a soloist. He performs in the best concert halls of the world, conducting concerts of American symphony orchestras (Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New World Symphony), European orchestras of La Scala, Santa Cecilia Academy and many others.

In 1989 he created the International Music Festival in Colmar (France), of which he has been the permanent musical director to this day. During this time, many outstanding musicians and musical groups performed at the festival.

Since 1994, he has taken the baton from N. Milstein to conduct annual and master classes in Zurich. Many music competitions invite Vladimir Teodorovich to the jury.
For the last few years, she has been annually participating in the work of the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) as a UNESCO Ambassador of Art.

Vladimir Spivakov has been involved in charity work for many years. Together with the “Moscow Virtuosi” orchestra, he gave concerts in Armenia immediately after the terrible earthquake of 1988, in Ukraine 3 days after the Chernobyl disaster... The touring archive of the “Virtuosi” includes numerous concerts for former prisoners of Stalin’s camps, hundreds of charity concerts throughout the former Soviet Union.

In 1994 he created the International Charitable Foundation, which helps young talents and orphans. The concerts of the foundation's fellows attract no less attention than the performances of famous orchestras led by Vladimir Teodorovich. He believes that the national idea of ​​Russia is children who need to be loved, taught, and raised. The maestro is confident: through beloved and desired children, Russia will be happy.

prizes and awards

State Prize of the Russian Federation (2012) - “for outstanding achievements in the field of humanitarian work.”
USSR State Prize (1989) - for concert programs of 1986-1988.
Lenin Komsomol Prize (1982) - for high performing skills.
Prize of the All-European Academy of Munich “For outstanding achievements in the field of musical art” (1981).
Prize "Golden Ostap" (1993).
Award “Person of the Year” in the “Idol” category (2002).
National award of public recognition “Russian of the Year” in the nomination “Russia Without Borders” - “for outstanding achievements in shaping the image of a single Russian nation with common historical and cultural roots and rich spiritual traditions” (2005).
Ovation Award in the Classical Music category (2008).
The Choc de la Musique "Range d'Or" award is an award from the French press for the best recording.
1st prize at the White Nights festival competition in Leningrad (1957).
3rd prize at the Long and Thibaud International Violin Competition (Paris, 1965).
2nd prize at the Paganini International Violin Competition (Genoa, 1967).
1st Prize at the Montreal International Performing Competition (1969).
2nd prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition (Moscow, 1970).

Orders and medals:
Order of Friendship (12/17/1994).
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree (08/09/1999).
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree (09/2/2009).
Order of Merit (Ukraine) II degree (2009).
Order "Danaker" (Kyrgyzstan, 2001).
Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots (Armenia, 1999).
Order of Arts and Letters (Officer, France, 1999).
Order of the Legion of Honor (France, Knight since 2000, Officer since February 1, 2011).
Medal “Olive Branch” (Armenia, 2001).
Order "Patrons of the Century" (2005).
International public order "Golden Falcon" (2005).
UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal (2009).
“UNESCO Artist for Peace” - for “the musician’s outstanding contribution to world art, his work for peace and the development of dialogue between cultures” (2006).
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador (1998).
"Best Musician of Radio 1" (1999).
Honorary Doctor of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov (2002).
Honorary citizen of the city of Tolyatti (2004).
Honorary Citizen of the City of Colmar (Spain, 1999).
Certificate of honor from the Moscow City Duma (09/15/2004).
Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of culture (2010) - for the creation of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charitable Foundation.
Prize of the city of Moscow in the field of literature and art (nomination “Educational activities”) (2013) - for the creation and holding of the International Festival “Moscow Meets Friends”.
Prize in the field of culture and art “Stars of the Commonwealth” (Council for Humanitarian Cooperation and the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States, 2011).
G. Tovstonogov Prize “For outstanding contribution to the development of theatrical art” (2012).
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (2014)
Order of the Badge of Honor (1980) - for great work in preparing and holding the Games of the XXII Olympiad
Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree (2004)
Order of Francis Skaryna (Belarus, 2014)
Order of Merit for the Republic of Bashkortostan (2013) - for great contribution to the development of musical art, active public and charitable activities
Gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation (2004) - for services to the development of musical art and many years of creative activity.
Certificate of Honor from the Moscow Government (2009) - for his great contribution to the development of musical art, active social and charitable activities and in connection with the 65th anniversary of his birth.
Order of Daniel of Moscow, 1st degree (2014) - in recognition of his special contribution to the development of musical and performing arts, for cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church in the field of aesthetic education of youth and in connection with the 70th anniversary of his birth.

Victoria Postnikova is a woman whose skillful piano playing touches the hearts of music lovers. However, it is not only a wide repertoire and victories at music competitions that attract public attention to the pianist: the personal life of Victoria Postnikova, who was married to Vladimir Spivakov and then left him for the sake of, often became the subject of discussion.

Brief biography: the beginning of a creative journey

The girl first touched the keys when she was barely 3 years old. And even then the music captivated Victoria. Just 3 years later she entered the Central Music School. The girl’s experience of speaking in front of an audience also happened very early - after just a year.
After graduating from music school, the girl continued her education at the Moscow Conservatory. Victoria’s teacher was Yakov Flier, who managed to discern and reveal the pianist’s talent.
From an early age, Victoria was distinguished by her hard work and serious attitude to work. Thanks to her perseverance, abilities and constant improvement of technique, since the mid-60s, Postnikova began to be singled out among participants in various music competitions.

Interesting fact! As a member of symphony orchestras, Victoria traveled to many countries: she visited Japan, some European countries, South America, even Australia.

Victoria Postnikova and Vladimir Spivakov

After one of the meetings, feelings flared up between the talented pianist and violinist, and they got married. If this was Victoria’s first marriage, then Vladimir had already managed to get a divorce - before that he was married.

The spouses were very attached to each other; according to eyewitnesses of their relationship, they both passionately loved each other. As a result of their union, a son, Alexander, was born.
However, despite Vladimir’s love, one day Victoria decided to leave her husband in order to leave him for conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky.

Interesting fact. Vladimir Spivakov was broken by the departure of his wife: his feelings for her at that time were strong, but he made an effort and accepted the choice of the woman he loved. It is known that the violinist helped carry his wife’s things to a taxi when she left their shared apartment to go to someone else.

However, despite Spivakov’s intention to devote himself exclusively to creativity after breaking up with his second wife, after some time he was able to build a long-term and strong relationship with his third chosen one.

Personal life and family

The famous pianist is still married to her second husband, Gennady Rozhdestvensky. They are not only life partners: they often perform on stage together.
After the wedding, Gennady adopted Victoria's son and gave him his last name. Sometimes he joins his parents on stage.
The woman prefers not to talk about her relationships with her husbands, so Victoria Postnikova’s personal life remains a secret.

The Son and His Calling

The son of world-famous musicians followed in the footsteps of his parents - he chose his own father’s profession for himself. Alexander Rozhdestvensky is called one of the brightest and most talented young violinists.

The young man received an excellent education: he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, then continued his studies at the Royal College of Music and Conservatory in Paris. His teachers were talented teachers who were able to pass on their knowledge to him.
For some time the violinist lived in the capital of France, but then returned to Moscow.
Victoria Postnikova is certainly a talented musician. Her unusually subtle musical taste, varied interests, ability to grasp the essence of any musical work and impeccable performance have forever inscribed her name in the history of the Russian and world musical community.

Artistic Director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia

Artistic director of the State Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”

President of the International Charitable Foundation

The outstanding violinist and conductor Vladimir Spivakov vividly realized his multifaceted talent in the art of music and many spheres of public life. As a violinist, Vladimir Spivakov went through an excellent school with the famous teacher, professor of the Moscow Conservatory Yuri Yankelevich. The outstanding violinist of the 20th century, David Oistrakh, had no less influence on him.

In the 1960–1970s, Vladimir Spivakov became a laureate of the prestigious international competitions named after M. Long and J. Thibault in Paris, named after N. Paganini in Genoa, competition in Montreal and competition named after P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow. In 1979, with a group of like-minded musicians, he created the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra and became its permanent artistic director, conductor and soloist. Spivakov studied conducting with Professor Israel Gusman in Russia, and took lessons with Leonard Bernstein and Lorin Maazel in the USA. Bernstein, as a sign of friendship and faith in the future of Spivakov the conductor, gave him his baton, which the maestro does not part with to this day.

In 1989, Vladimir Spivakov headed the International Music Festival in Colmar (France), of which he is the artistic director to this day. Since 2001, the festival “Vladimir Spivakov Invites...” has been held in Moscow every two years with the participation of luminaries of the world performing arts and rising stars; Since 2010, the festival has also been held in other cities of Russia and the CIS. The musician has repeatedly taken part in the jury of famous international competitions (in Paris, Genoa, London, Montreal, Monte Carlo, Pamplona, ​​Moscow), and in 2016 he organized the International Violin Competition in Ufa.

For many years, Vladimir Spivakov has been involved in social and charitable activities. In 1994, the Vladimir Spivakov International Charitable Foundation was created, whose activities are aimed at finding and fully supporting young talents. In 2010, Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the Russian Federation Government Prize in the field of culture for creating the fund.

Modern composers have repeatedly dedicated their works to the musician, including A. Schnittke, R. Shchedrin, A. Pärt, I. Schwartz, V. Artyomov.

In 2003, Vladimir Spivakov became artistic director and chief conductor of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, which he created, and president of the Moscow International House of Music. Since 2011, Vladimir Spivakov has been a member of the Council for Culture and Art under the President of the Russian Federation.

The musician’s extensive discography includes more than 50 CDs; Most recordings were released by BMG Classics, RCA Red Seal and Capriccio. Many recordings were awarded prestigious awards, including the Diapason D’Or (“Golden Tuning Fork”). In 2014, the maestro began releasing recordings from the NPR under his own Spivakov Sound label.

Vladimir Spivakov - People's Artist of the USSR, Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, the Republic of Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, and the Republic of Bashkortostan. The maestro was awarded the State Prize of the USSR, the Order of Friendship of Peoples, the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III, II and IV degrees, the highest orders of Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Armenia, Italy, France (including the Order of the Legion of Honor), as well as many other honorary awards and titles. In 2006, Vladimir Spivakov was recognized as a UNESCO Artist for Peace for his “outstanding contribution to world art, activities for peace and the development of dialogue between cultures,” and in 2009 he was awarded the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal.

In 2012, Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the State Prize of Russia “for outstanding achievements in the field of humanitarian work” (the prize was awarded in different years by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Valentina Tereshkova, King of Spain Juan Carlos I and French President Jacques Chirac).

Vladimir Spivakov is an outstanding Russian musician, virtuoso violinist, conductor and director of two orchestras (Russian National and Moscow Virtuosi), creator of the International Charitable Foundation.

The future violin virtuoso was born in the city of Chernikovsk (now part of Ufa) on September 12, 1944. The musician’s mother, Ekaterina Osipovna Weintraub, Jewish by nationality, was a talented pianist. Before the war, she studied at the Leningrad Conservatory, gave concerts, survived, and then evacuated to her husband in Bashkiria. The woman had perfect pitch, and she managed to instill her passion for music in her only son. The rest was done by the genes and talent of the young talent.

After the war, the whole family returned to Leningrad, to their former life. In one of his interviews, Vladimir Teodorovich said that his mother, when he was still a tiny, nine-month-old fool, sat him on the piano and played different melodies. If the music was optimistic and cheerful, the boy jumped up and down to the beat, and swayed from side to side to sad lyrical tunes.

At that time, the Spivakovs lived in communal apartments, constantly moving. They also happened to live next to the beautiful sky-blue St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was there that the boy was baptized (he was secretly taken to church by his neighbor in a communal apartment), which he never regretted, even though his mother was Jewish.

At the age of six, Volodya was sent to study music, but the first experiment was unsuccessful. The teacher demanded too much from the boy; in his own words, he “squeezed all the juice out of him.” A miracle happened when the little violinist first heard Tchaikovsky's melody and played it on one string. Hearing the boy play Tchaikovsky’s violin, the teacher changed his anger to mercy.

Music

In 1955, Volodya was sent to a music school at the Leningrad Conservatory, where the boy made an extraordinary impression on his teachers, L.M. Seagal and V.I. innate talent. At the music school, Spivakov met Solomon Volkov, who later became a music critic and emigrated to America. By the way, in 2014, Volkov’s book “Dialogues with Vladimir Spivakov” was published, dedicated to his 70th anniversary.

At the same time, Vladimir also studied at a regular high school, and local hooligans often beat him when he was in company with other Jewish children. Then the boy signed up for a boxing class (by the way, he even received a 2nd category) in order to stand up for himself. Subsequently, his ability to fight more than once helped him out in many conflict situations, and no one ever offended the Jewish violinists at his school.

At the age of thirteen, Spivakov became a laureate of the Leningrad “White Nights” competition among young musicians, and a little later he made his debut on the stage of the Leningrad Conservatory. Rumors about a talented violinist boy reached Moscow, and Volodya was offered to transfer to the capital's music school at the state conservatory.

Without graduating from school in Leningrad, the future famous conductor moved to Moscow, where he attended art school while living in a boarding school. Volodya was fascinated not only by music, but also by painting, and for a long time he studied in both directions at once, until he had to make the final choice in favor of the violin. His entire further biography was connected only with music.

Worldwide recognition

In 1963, Spivakov graduated from music school and entered the conservatory on the course of Yuri Yankelevich, and in 1970 he entered graduate school under the guidance of the same teacher. While still a student, Vladimir Teodorovich performed at various international competitions and became a laureate of events in Paris and Genoa. He was greatly helped by the lessons that the aspiring violinist took from the famous David Oistrakh.

In 1969, Spivakov became a laureate of the Tchaikovsky Festival and a musicians' competition in Montreal. Now this may seem strange, but in his youth Vladimir Spivakov was hardly allowed to go abroad, and yet he managed not only to tour abroad, but also to gain worldwide fame while still a very young musician.

Spivakov's professional concert activity in his homeland began in 1975, and soon he began to conquer foreign venues. He made a splash at the famous Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and performed with orchestras in Leningrad, Moscow, Paris, New York, London, and Chicago.

Spivakov's archive contains a rich repertoire from classics to modern authors, many awards and an extensive geography of travel. He had the opportunity to work with many of the most talented and famous conductors of the 20th century, including the masters:

• E. Mravinsky;
• E. Svetlanov;
• K. Kondrashin;
• K. M. Giulini;
• Yu. Temirkanov;
• M. Rostropovich;
• S. Ozawa;
• L. Maazel;
• R. Muti;
• L. Bernstein;
• K. Abbado.

Spivakov keeps the conductor's baton, given to him by Bernstein, as a relic along with the Stradivarius violin. The experience gained on tour and while working with the best orchestras in the world came in handy for Vladimir Teodorovich at the moment when he himself decided to take up conducting activities.

Conductor and leader

In 1979, Spivakov founded the Moscow Virtuosi group, which included only eminent musicians and talented performers. All members of the orchestra are male, since women are usually tied hand and foot by family, children, and husbands, which is no small problem for a touring ensemble.

At the same time, Spivakov made his debut as a symphony conductor with the Chicago Orchestra. He studied conducting in Russia with Israel Guzman, as well as with Leonard Bernstein and Lorin Maazel in the USA. Vladimir Teodorovich headed the Russian National Orchestra for several years, then the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia.

Spivakov is the founder of the Moscow International Festival “Vladimir Spivakov Invites...”, a member of the jury of many international competitions and festivals, and is actively involved in charity work and supporting young talents. In 1994 he founded the Vladimir Spivakov International Charitable Foundation.

As a conductor, Spivakov performed with orchestras in London, Philadelphia, Budapest, La Scala Theater and the Cologne Philharmonic.

Personal life

Vladimir Spivakov is a charismatic, impressive, handsome man, incredibly energetic and interesting even at 72 years old. It is not surprising that many women, and not only his wives, have always been partial to him.

The artist's first wife was a talented pianist. They were young, in love and incredibly happy, and soon the couple had a son, who also later made a career in music. However, the love passed, and the life of the musician spouses somehow did not work out.

After his divorce from Victoria, Spivakov did not marry for a long time. It is known that the musician had an affair with his colleague Svetlana Bezrodnaya. She helped him create an orchestra, but soon this union fell apart. In one of the interviews, Svetlana, who created her own women’s orchestra, recalled:

“There was continuous creativity with him. But I didn’t live my life, but his. I carried out a thousand of his instructions. And although I was incredibly interested in him, I am grateful to fate that we broke up. I didn’t tell him this - he would be offended. But with him I would never create an orchestra...”

Today Vladimir Spivakov is happily married. His wife is actress Sati Spivakova (Sahakyants), a graduate of GITIS. The couple has two children, daughters Tatyana and Anna, and they adopted Ekaterina, the daughter of Spivakov’s deceased sister.