Gidon Kremer launched his international career in 1970 following a series of high-profile competition victories, including the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Paganini Competition in Genoa. Born in Riga in 1947, he became a pivotal figure in classical music performance, known for his commitment to unconventional programming and the advocacy of contemporary composers through his extensive recording and orchestral projects.
Early Training and Competition Success
Kremer began violin studies at age four under the guidance of his father and grandfather. He attended the Riga School of Music, where he studied primarily with Voldemar Sturestep, before continuing his education at the Moscow Conservatory under David Oistrakh starting in 1965. His competitive ascent included a third prize at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in 1967 and a second prize at the Montreal International Violin Competition in 1969.
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In 1970, Kremer performed his first Western concert at the Musikverein in Vienna. He relocated from the Soviet Union to Germany in 1980. His administrative roles in music began in 1981 when he founded a chamber music festival in Lockenhaus, Austria, which he directed for three decades. He further managed artistic programming for events in Munich, Gstaad, and Basel, and co-founded the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra in 1997 to support young Baltic musicians.
Performances and Artistic Contributions
Kremer maintains a prolific recording career, working with labels such as Deutsche Grammophon and ECM since 1978. His repertoire spans works by Shostakovich, Pärt, Gubaidulina, and Piazzolla. Beyond music, he has worked as an actor, notably portraying Paganini in the 1983 film Frühlingssinfonie. He has also authored four books, including Kindheitsplitter and his 2013 publication, Letters to a Young Pianist.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, Riga
- Educated at: Moscow Conservatory; Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
- First Prize: International Tchaikovsky Competition, 1970
- Founded: Kremerata Baltica, 1997
- Awarded: Léonie Sonning Music Prize, 1989
- Awarded: Praemium Imperiale, 2016
- Citizenship: Germany, Latvia, Soviet Union
- Occupations: Violinist, conductor, actor
Questions readers ask
Which orchestra did Gidon Kremer establish?
He founded the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra in 1997, which consists of young musicians from the Baltic region.
What is the scope of his literary work?
He has authored four books on music, including his memoir Fragments of Childhood and Letters to a Young Pianist.
Achievements
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Léonie Sonning Music Prize — 1989
- Order of the Three Stars, 4th Class
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 4th Class
- Instruments: violin and organ
- Genres: classical music and art music
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