The Moscow Soloists chamber ensemble

In 1992, world renowned violist Yuri Bashmet founded the Moscow Soloists chamber ensemble by gathering together a group of young string players nominated by their professors as the most accomplished and gifted graduates of the Moscow Conservatory.

Now in its second formation, Moscow Soloists has established itself, in the words of the international press, as "one of the best in the world" ("Davar", Israel), "the voice of the nation" ("IL Tempo", Italy). The ensemble has performed in forty countries on five continents and regularly tours Europe, America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, appearing in such prestigious concert venues as Carnegie Hall in New York, Musikverein in Vienna, Concertgebow in Amsterdam, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Philharmonic Hall in Berlin, Barbican in London, Tivoli in Copenhagen, Cite de la Music in Paris, Academia Santa Cecilia in Rome, and many others.

The repertory of the Moscow Soloists is rich and diverse, comprised of masterpieces from the Classical canon, the works of contemporary composers, and works from the past which are less frequently performed. The programs of the Moscow Soloists are often marked by premieres of interesting and challenging new works by living composers. Expanding the repertoire for string orchestra is part of the mission of the group.

Many of the world's greatest musicians have performed as soloists with the ensemble, including Sviatoslav Richter, Gidon Kremer, Mstislav Rostropovich, Sarah Chang, Viktor Tretyakov, James Galway, Lynn Harrel, Olga Borodina, Yu Man and others.

Moscow Soloists has participated in major musical festivals including Rostropovich's Festival in Evian (France), Musical Festivals in Montreux and Verbier (Switzerland), Sydney Music Festival, Bath Music Festival (England), "Promenade-concerts" in London's Albert-Hall, "Prestige de la Music" in Pleyel, Paris, Sony-Classical in Champs-Elysees Theatre, "Semaines Musicales en Tours" (France), "December Nights" (Moscow), and many others.

Concerts by Moscow Soloists have been recorded by Onyx and Sony BMG and broadcast on television and radio in a number of countries, including broadcasts by the BBC, Bavarian Radio, Radio France, NHK, and others.