Vladimir Jurowski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vladimir Jurowski
Владимир Михайлович Юровский
Born	(1972-04-04)4 April 1972 Moscow
Education	Tchaikovsky Academic Music College at the Moscow State Conservatory

Vladimir Mikhailovich Jurowski, born on April 4, 1972, is a famous conductor from Russia. He lives in Germany. A conductor is like the leader of an orchestra, guiding the musicians to play together. Vladimir comes from a musical family. His father, Michail Jurowski, was also a conductor. His grandfather, Vladimir Michailovich Jurowski, composed music for films in the Soviet Union.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Starting Music in Moscow

Vladimir Jurowski was born in Moscow, Russia. He began his music studies at a special school called the Tchaikovsky Academic Music College. This school is part of the Moscow State Conservatory, a very famous music university.

Moving to Germany

In 1990, when Vladimir was 18, his family moved to Germany. His brother, Dmitri, also became a conductor, and his sister, Maria, is a pianist. In Germany, Vladimir continued his education at music schools in Dresden and Berlin. He learned how to conduct from a teacher named Rolf Reuter. He also learned vocal coaching from Semion Skigin. In 1991, he even took a special class with the famous conductor Sir Colin Davis.

Vladimir Jurowski's Conducting Career

First Big Performances

Vladimir Jurowski first became known around the world in 1995. He conducted an opera called May Night at the Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland. An opera is a play where the story is told mostly through singing. He returned to the festival the next year for another opera, L'étoile du nord. This performance was even recorded! In April 1996, he made his debut at the Royal Opera House in London, conducting the opera Nabucco.

Working in Berlin and Bologna

From 1996 to 2001, Jurowski worked at the Komische Oper Berlin, a famous opera house in Berlin. He started as an assistant conductor and then became the first Kapellmeister, which is a main conductor. He also served as the main guest conductor for the Teatro Comunale di Bologna in Italy from 2000 to 2003.

Leading the Glyndebourne Festival Opera

In August 2000, Vladimir Jurowski was chosen to be the Music Director of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. He started this important job in January 2001. He also began conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) in December 2001. In 2003, he became the LPO's Principal Guest Conductor. Jurowski really enjoyed his time at Glyndebourne, and he finished his work there after the 2013 season.

Leading the London Philharmonic Orchestra

In May 2006, Jurowski was announced as the main conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He started this role in the 2007-2008 season. He made many CD recordings with the LPO. In April 2007, he joined other conductors to support a plan to bring more classical music to the UK. This plan included offering free entry to classical concerts for all British schoolchildren. In May 2007, he won an award for Conductor of the Year. He continued to lead the LPO until the end of the 2020-2021 season. In August 2021, he received the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, a very high honor, as he finished his time with the LPO.

Conducting in Russia and Germany

Jurowski has also held important positions in Russia. He was a member of the Conductor Collegium for the Russian National Orchestra. In October 2011, he became the main conductor of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation. He led this orchestra until 2021.

In September 2015, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra announced that Jurowski would be their next chief conductor. He started this role in the 2017-2018 season. His contract with them has been extended several times, showing how much they value his work.

Leading the Bavarian State Opera

In March 2018, the Bavarian State Opera in Germany announced that Jurowski would become their next Generalmusikdirektor. This is a very important leadership role in an opera house. He started this position in the 2021-2022 season.

Performances in the United States

Vladimir Jurowski first conducted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in December 1999. He also made a very successful debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in October 2005. He returned to Philadelphia many times for guest conducting performances, always receiving great reviews.

Personal Life

Vladimir Jurowski is married to Patricia, and they have two children, Martha and Yuri. The family lives in Berlin, Germany. In February 2024, King Charles III of the United Kingdom gave Jurowski a special honor. He was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his amazing contributions to music and the arts.

Selected Recordings

Vladimir Jurowski has recorded many classical music pieces. Here are some of his notable recordings:

• Rachmaninov – The Isle of the Dead, Symphonic Dances. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Tchaikovsky – Suite No.3, and Stravinsky – Divertimento. With the Russian National Orchestra.
• Tchaikovsky – Manfred Symphony. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Shostakovich – Symphonies Nos. 1 and 6. With the Russian National Orchestra.
• Prokofiev – Symphony No. 5. With the Russian National Orchestra.
• Britten – Double Concerto for Violin and Viola. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Holst – The Planets. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir.
• Mahler – Symphony No 2. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir.
• Schnittke – Symphony No 3. With the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin.
• Stravinsky – Petrushka, Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Orpheus. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Richard Strauss – Also sprach Zarathustra / Gustav Mahler – Totenfeier. With the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin.
• Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake. With the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia.
• Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker. With the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia.
• Beethoven – Symphonies No. 4 and 7. With the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

See also

In Spanish: Vladímir Yúrovski para niños