Mark Gorenstein

Who is Mark Gorenstein?

Mark Borisovich Gorenstein is a Russian conductor. He grew up in Odessa and studied at the conservatory in Kishinev. He later played violin in the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the then USSR.

Gorenstein studied conducting in the Novosibirsk conservatory. He was principal conductor of the MÁV Symphony Orchestra in Budapest, the Busan City Symphony Orchestra, and the Molodaya Rossia Orchestra. He received a People's Artist of Russia award in 2002 and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland in 2006.

Gorenstein became music director of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation in 2002. In 2011, controversy arose after Gorenstein made disparaging remarks about cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in June 2011, which led to his removal as conductor for the competition. The orchestra then demanded Gorenstein's dismissal from the orchestra, with accusations of abusive behaviour. Gorenstein was subsequently dismissed from the orchestra in September 2011.