Vladimir Ashkenazy

Who is Vladimir Ashkenazy?

Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy is a Russian-Icelandic conductor and pianist. Since 1972 he has been a citizen of Iceland, his wife Þórunn's country of birth. In 1970, he helped to found the Reykjavík Arts Festival, of which he remains Honorary President. Since 1978, because of his many obligations in Europe, he and his family have resided in Meggen, near Lucerne in Switzerland. He is currently Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. His son is clarinetist Dimitri Ashkenazy who has also performed with his father in Sydney and across Europe and Canada.