Vladimir Ovchinnikov

Pianist, People’s Artist of Russia

Vladimir Ovchinnikov is a distinguished musician and a laureate of the world’s most prestigious international festivals. His career reached a pivotal milestone with victories at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1982) and the Leeds International Piano Competition in the UK (1987). Following these triumphs, his London debut and subsequent concert tours earned him widespread international acclaim.

The pianist has performed at the world’s premier concert halls, collaborating with many of the most renowned conductors of our time. He has appeared in solo recitals and as a soloist with leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, as well as major symphony orchestras in Chicago, Montreal, Zurich, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and beyond.

A significant part of the musician’s life is devoted to teaching. For several years, Vladimir Ovchinnikov taught at the Royal Northern College of Music in the UK. He is currently a professor at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and serves as the head of the Special Piano Department at the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music.

Since 1995, he has been a soloist of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic. He is also a jury member for numerous international competitions.

Over the years, Vladimir Ovchinnikov has recorded an extensive discography featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Taneyev, Rubinstein, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Mussorgsky, Reger, and Barber. These recordings have been released by leading labels such as EMI, Collins Classics, Saison Russe, Chandos, Gold Club, and Olympia.

He was awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the Russian Federation in 2005 and People’s Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2023.