Vladimir Spivakov is a renowned Soviet and Russian violinist and conductor celebrated for his prolific career as a musician and humanitarian. He is best known as the founder and leader of the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra and for his long-standing role as the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Philharmonic of Russia.

Musical career
Early life and training: Born in Ufa, Russia, in 1944, Spivakov began his musical journey at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied violin under the famous professor Yuri Yankelevich. He was also significantly influenced by violinist David Oistrakh.
Violinist: As a violinist, Spivakov won several prestigious international competitions, including the Marguerite Long–Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris (1965), the Paganini Competition in Genoa (1967), and the Montreal and Tchaikovsky competitions (1969 and 1970). Since 1997, he has performed on a Stradivari violin.
Conductor: In 1979, he made his conducting debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. That same year, he founded the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra, which quickly gained international acclaim and recognition. He has since conducted many of the world's leading orchestras.
Artistic director: Spivakov served as the principal conductor of the Russian National Orchestra from 1999 to 2002. Since 2003, he has been the artistic director and principal conductor of the National Philharmonic of Russia.
Humanitarian work
In addition to his musical contributions, Spivakov is a dedicated humanitarian.
Charity foundation: In 1994, he founded the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation to support young, talented children in the arts, with a special focus on helping Russian orphans.
International recognition: His humanitarian efforts have earned him widespread recognition, including being designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2006 and receiving the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in 2009.
Honors and awards
Throughout his career, Spivakov has received numerous honors.
State awards: He holds the title of People's Artist of the USSR (1989) and is a recipient of Russia's State Prize for outstanding achievements in humanitarian activities (2012).
French honors: France has recognized him with high honors, including the Legion of Honour.
Other distinctions: A minor planet was even named Spivakov in honor of his 50th birthday.