Rudolf Borisovich Barshai (Russian: Рудольф Борисович Баршай, born September 28, 1924, Stanitsa Lobinskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia) is a Soviet/Russian conductor and violist.
Barshai studied at the Moscow Conservatory under Lev Tseitlin and Vadim Borisovsky. Barshai performed as a soloist as well as together with Sviatoslav Richter and David Oistrakh, and as a member of a trio with Mstislav Rostropovich and Leonid Kogan. He won numerous Soviet and international competitions. He was the founding violist of the Borodin Quartet in 1945[1] and was a member until 1953.
In 1955, Barshai formed the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, which he led and conducted until he emigrated to the West in 1977. He was the artistic director of the Israel Chamber Orchestra from 1976 to 1981. He was principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra from 1982 to 1986.
Barshai achieved fame as a musical interpreter and arranger of Shostakovich's and Prokofiev's music. He is particularly noted for his arrangement of Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 for chamber orchestra.[2] In 2000, Barshai produced a completion of Gustav Mahler's Tenth Symphony, which was left unfinished at the composer's death. In addition, he has recorded a number of Gustav Mahler's and Shostakovich's works. Many of his recordings have earned critical acclaim and have won international awards:
- 1988 Gramophone Awards - Concerto : Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 2, Rudolf Barshai conducting Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; solo: Donohoe (EMI)
- 2003 Cannes Classical Music Award: Orchestral 20 Century: Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies; Barshai (Brilliant Classics)
- 2003 Editor's Award (ClassicsToday.com): Record of the Year: Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies; Barshai (Brilliant Classics).
In 1954, Barshai married Anna Martinson, a Russian painter and costume designer, and daughter of the Soviet comic Sergey Martinson. Barshai is a resident of Switzerland.
References
- ^ David Nice (19 December 2008). "Obituary: Valentin Berlinsky". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/19/obituary-berlinsky-cellist. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ^ Tim Ashley (22 March 2003). "Philharmonia/Ashkenazy (Royal Festival Hall, London)". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/mar/22/classicalmusicandopera.artsfeatures1. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
External links
- Rudolf Barshai's website
- Biography - in Russian
- Interview with Barshai - in English
| Preceded by Luciano Berio |
Artistic Director, Israel Chamber Orchestra 1976–1981 |
Succeeded by Uri Segal |
| Preceded by Uri Segal |
Principal Conductor, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 1982–1988 |
Succeeded by Andrew Litton |
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