Vladimir Spivakov

Vladimir Teodorovich Spivakov (Влади́мир Теодо́рович Спивако́в; born 12 September 1944) is a Soviet and Russian conductor and violinist best known for his work with the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra.

Spivakov was born in Ufa. He studied with Yuri Yankelvich at the Moscow Conservatory, and is considered one of the leading violinists of his generation.

Spivakov currently serves as the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Philharmonic of Russia. He conducted the music for Garri Bardin's 2010 animated feature, The Ugly Duckling.

In March 2014 he signed a letter in support of Vladimir Putin's policies regarding the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and Ukraine. However, in 2022, he and other Russian artists signed a letter against the Russian invasion of Ukraine initiated by Putin.

Awards and honours

 * Lenin Komsomol Prize (1982) - for high performance skills
 * Order of Merit, 2nd class (Ukraine, 2009)
 * "Russian of the Year" (May 2005)
 * UNESCO Artist for Peace - for his "outstanding contribution to the musician in the art world, his work for peace and dialogue between cultures" (2006)