Russian Violinist Marta Kushnirskaya has Died, Aged 91

Kushnirskaya was a core member of the Bolshoi Theater Violin Ensemble

Violinist and pedagogue Marta Kushnirskaya was born in Moscow in 1933. Her father was a cellist in the Philharmonic Orchestra and her mother was a teacher and piano accompanist for principal ballet dancers. 

At the age of six, Kushnirskaya was accepted to the “School for Gifted Children” at the Moscow Conservatory, which was also attended by Igor Oistrakh and Leonid Kogan. 

Though she was not accepted to tertiary studies at the Moscow Conservatory, she gained entry into the Leningrad Conservatory, where she studied with Veniamin Sher. During this time, she also performed in concert halls in Leningrad, both as a soloist and chamber musician. 

For over 30 years, Kushnirskaya worked at the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and was later invited to join the esteemed Bolshoi Theater Violin Ensemble on many occasions. 

She continued her work at the theatre orchestra until 1995 and moved to teaching at the Maimonides Academy. In 1998, she formed the Melodiya youth violin ensemble, which performed with many Bolshoi Theater soloists. 

“The name of Marta Kushnirskaya is associated with an entire era in the history of Russian musical art,” wrote Smotrim news. “Her contribution to the development of culture, her talent and devotion to the profession will remain in the memory of colleagues, students and listeners.”

Our condolences to Ms. Kushnirskaya’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.