Ukrainian Violinist Alexandre Zapolski has Died, Aged 74

Zapolski taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and led a number of prominent orchestras

The Ukrainian violinist Alexandre Zapolski, who spent a large part of his career in Denmark, has passed away at the age of 74.

Hailing originally from Odessa, Ukraine, Zapolski initially studied composition in Donetsk, before progressing to violin studies at the Kyiv Conservatory. His teacher there was Prof. Olga Parchomenko, who had been a student of David Oistrakh.

Upon his graduation, Zapolski developed his orchestral career, appearing as concertmaster with symphony orchestras in Donetsk and Moscow between 1983 and 1992. In 1987 he was awarded the honor of Merited Artist of Ukraine.

In 1992, Zapolski relocated to Denmark, where he became a member of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.

He was also the first violinist of the Zapolski Quartet, which he founded in 1993. The group quickly built a reputation as one of the leading chamber ensembles in Denmark, with a wide-ranging repertoire. As well as appearing in all of the major halls, festivals, and chamber music associations in Denmark, the quartet also performed abroad in Vienna, Bratislava, Athens, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Stockholm.

In 1993, he began teaching children the violin at Brøndby Music School and established a teaching career that encompassed students of all levels.

In 2003, he was appointed as a teacher at the Royal Danish Academy of Music (DKDM), where he was an influential and highly respected pedagogue. In 2011 he was awarded the Jacob Gade Prize for his work with young people.

Our condolences to Zapolski's family, friends, and colleagues.

"Alexandre was an outstanding violinist who always grabbed the audience’s attention with his personality and his captivating musicality," said Tim Frederiksen, Head of the String Department at DKDM. "For more than twenty years, Alexandre generously shared his musicianship and well-thought-out technical system with the younger generation of violinists, right from complete beginners to graduating students of the Academy’s soloist class."