Conductor Yuri Temirkanov has Died, Aged 84

The renowned Soviet-born conductor led the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic

Yuri Khatuyevich Temirkanov is known for playing a significant role in rebuilding the St. Petersburg Philharmonic after the collapse of communism. He also led the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra between 2000 and 2006. 

His interpretations of Russian music were celebrated, especially of the works of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev, as well as Shostakovich, whom he worked with personally.

Temirkanov passed away in a hospital in St. Petersburg — his death was confirmed by Evgeny Petrovsky, St. Petersburg Philharmonic’s deputy artistic director. 

Born in Nalchik, Russia, in 1938, Temirkanov was 13 years old when he began viola and violin studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory — whose alumni included Sergei Prokofiev.

Temirkanov’s father Khatu, who was minister of culture for the republic, had hosted Prokofiev in his home as the latter worked on his opera War and Peace as Moscow came under siege during 1941, according to the Washington Post.

Following his music studies, Temirkanov won the Soviet All-Union Conductors’ Prize and later appeared as a guest conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra, London’s Royal Philharmonic, among other major symphonies.

Also the chief conductor of the Kirov Opera, he joined the Leningrad Philharmonic as principal conductor in 1988, succeeding Yevgeny Mravinsky. 

Following the official dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, the Leningrad Philharmonic was reverted, in name, to the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Temirkanov stepped down as the latter’s music director in 2022, but continued to divide his time between St. Petersburg and London, where he was also based.

His other roles included principal guest conductor of the Dresdner Philharmonie from 1992 to 1997; Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1998 to 2008; Teatro Regio di Parma from 2010 to 2012; and honorary conductor of Japan’s Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra from 2015. 

Additionally, he performed with the Berlin and Wiener Philharmoniker, Staatskapelle Dresden, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

“Today, [we mourn] the passing of our former Music Director and friend, Maestro Yuri Temirkanov [who left] an indelible mark on the BSO and the entire musical community,” read a statement from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in CBS News.

“The BSO family remembers him as not only a brilliant conductor, but also a mentor and source of inspiration for us all,” it continued. “In addition to his contributions to the BSO, he was celebrated on the international stage, conducting some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and garnering overwhelming acclaim. To pay tribute, the BSO will dedicate this weekend's performances to him in honor of his life and legacy. We extend our deepest sympathies to Maestro Yuri Temirkanov’s family, friends, and the classical music community.”

His wife, Irina Guseva, died in 1997. He also was predeceased by his son, Vladimir, a violinist for the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

Our condolences to Mr. Temirkanov’s family, friends, and colleagues.