Igor Ivanovich Blazhkov |

Igor Blazhkov

Even before graduating from the Kyiv Conservatory in the class of A. Klimov (1954-1959), Blazhkov began working as an assistant conductor (1958-1960) in the symphony orchestra of the Ukrainian SSR, and then became the next conductor of this group (1960-1962). Since 1963, the artist has become a conductor of the Leningrad Philharmonic; and for several years he improved at the Leningrad Conservatory under the guidance of E. Mravinsky (1965-1967). But, despite his youth, Blazhkov managed to gain fame – primarily as a persistent propagandist of the work of composers of the XNUMXth century. He has many interesting works to his credit: it was he who, after a long break, resumed the concert life of the Second and Third Symphonies, suites from the opera The Nose by D. Shostakovich, and for the first time performed in the Soviet Union a number of works by A. Webern, C. Ives and other contemporary authors. On the stage of the Opera and Ballet Theater named after S. M. Kirov, Blazhkov staged B. Tishchenko’s ballet “The Twelve”. In addition, the conductor often includes works by composers of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries in his programs.

L. Grigoriev, J. Platek, 1969

In 1969-76. Blazhkov is the artistic director and conductor of the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra, which has gained a reputation as one of the most active creative groups of the former USSR. “Igor Blazhkov and the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra are phenomena of a very high order,” said Dmitri Shostakovich, with whom Blazhkov was associated with years of creative friendship and correspondence.

In 1977-88. – Blazhkov, conductor of the Ukrconcert, in 1988-94. – Artistic director and chief conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, at the same time since 1983 – artistic director and conductor of the orchestra “Perpetuum Mobile” of the Union of Composers of Ukraine (until 2002).

In 1990, Blazhkov was awarded the title of “People’s Artist of Ukraine” for “merits in the development and promotion of musical art, high professional skills”.

Blazhkov recorded more than 40 records. One of Blazhkov’s achievements is his CD recordings for Vergo (Germany), Olympia (Great Britain), Denon (Japan) and ANALEKTA (Canada).

As a touring conductor, Blazhkov has performed in Poland, Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, the USA and Japan.

Since 2002 lives in Germany.