Yuri Yurov was a violist, best known for his role as the principal viola of the Moscow Virtuosi orchestra. He toured and recorded with the ensemble until his death in Istanbul, reportedly from a heart attack, around 2011.
Musical collaborations and recordings
Soloist: Yurov performed and recorded as a soloist, with one album featuring his interpretations of works by Shostakovich, Schumann, and Prokofiev.
Orchestral and chamber music: With the Moscow Virtuosi, he performed on recordings for works such as Boccherini's Quintet for 2 Violins, Viola, and 2 Cellos No. 34.
The Borodin Quartet: Yurov was also a featured artist on recordings with the acclaimed Borodin Quartet, including performances of Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence.
Guest appearances: He also appeared as a featured artist on recordings of various other classical works.
Legacy
As a leading musician, Yurov was also a respected teacher. One notable former student is the violin maker and musician Yuri Bushagin, who studied with Yurov at the Gnessin Institute.
Yurov's viola performances can be found on various recordings available on streaming platforms like Apple Music and on vinyl records released by Melodiya, such as the one showcasing works by Shostakovich, Schumann, and Prokofiev.