Ilya Ioff
Ilya Ioff, born in 1966 in St. Petersburg, is a distinguished violinist and Honored Artist of Russia. His musical journey began early, and by 1973, he was attending the Special Music School in St. Petersburg, where his talent was recognized by the esteemed Soviet violinist, Professor B. Gutnikov. Ioff continued his education at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Professor V. Ovcharek, graduating in 1991.
As a student, Ioff's mature sound and technical prowess were evident, earning him accolades and the opportunity to perform with renowned musicians such as Mariss Jansons, Yury Temirkanov, and Martha Argerich across Europe, the United States, South Korea, and Turkey. His repertoire spans from J.S. Bach to contemporary composers like Philip Glass, and he has premiered works by St. Petersburg composers such as B. Tischenko and S. Slonimsky.
Ioff's accolades include a Special Prize at the ARD Competition in Munich and First Prize at the G. Viotti Competition in Vercelli, Italy. His discography features recordings of Paganini's Concerto No. 1, sonatas by Mozart and Brahms, and chamber music by Dvorak and Schnittke.
In addition to his performance career, Ioff is a respected educator at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and serves as the Artistic Director of the Divertissement Chamber Orchestra. Under his leadership, the ensemble has achieved success with its diverse repertoire and innovative sound, captivating audiences in Russia, Europe, Japan, and America. In 2002, Ilya Ioff was honored with the title of Honored Artist of Russia, and in 2013, he received the Government of St. Petersburg's award for "performer of concert programs."
