Iurii Botnari

Yuri Botnari - Conductor of the Great Hall Symphony Orchestra and Guest Conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the Vice President of the Russian Music Society. Maestro Botnari received his PhD in conducting from the Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Professor Gennady Rozhdestvensky in addition to his MA in conducting with Professor Yuri Simonov and MA from Leningrad State Conservatory with Professor Ilia Mussin. In 2005 he was awarded the George Enescu Gold Medal for Symphony Conducting by the Romanian Government, and was selected as a Great Mind of the 21st Century by the American Biographical Institute. In June 2005 he was listed in the Worldwide Honors List of International Biographical Centre (Cambridge, England) for Outstanding contribution to Symphony Conducting. In 2010 Maestro Botnari was awarded the highest Government award in Moldova - Stefan Cel Mare Gold Medal. Presently, Yuri Botnari performs around the world in countries such as Spain, Germany, Romania, Russia, Korea, China, Eastern Europe, and many others.

Yuri Botnari was born in Chisinau, Moldova (former Republic of the USSR, now an independent state). He studied violin at the National Music School for Gifted Children. At the age 16 Yuri Botnari won his first music award as an instrumentalist. After his graduation from the Chisinau Conservatory he worked with different orchestras as a performer, arranger and composer. In 1982 he became a winner of the regional Young Composers Competition, and made his conducting debut. Later that year he was invited to Leningrad State Orchestra as an arranger and conductor. While working at this orchestra, Yuri Botnari has participated in different festivals such as Festival of Modern Music in Tbilisi, Festival of Soviet Music in Donezk, Festival of Soviet Song in Almaty (Kazakhstan), Opera Festivals and many others, as well as took part in Fond recordings for the “Melodia” recording company. At the same time, he continued advanced studies in conducting with Professor Ilia Musin at the Leningrad Conservatory. Following his graduation in 1986, he worked as a guest conductor with many orchestras in Russia and Eastern Europe.

In 1985, Yuri Botnari took a position of Artistic Director and Chief Conductor at the National Musical Theatre of Moldova. From 1987 to 1992, he was perfecting the art of conducting at the Moscow State Conservatory under Professor Yuri Simonov. He often conducted the orchestra on tours across Russia.

In 1991, Yuri Botnari became Music Director and Chief Conductor of EstInd Art Agency (Moscow), where his main task included organizing Musical and Opera Festivals within C.I.S. countries. He conducted at many of these festivals and judged at instrumental competitions. His enthusiasm and financial support made a critical contribution to restoration of Russian Music Society (RMS) in 1995-1996, which inherited the best traditions of Imperial Russian Music Society. Yuri Botnari was elected as the Vice-President of RMS.

In 1995, Yuri Botnari became Principal Conductor of the Moscow Great Hall Symphony of the Moscow State Conservatory, where he organized and conducted numerous concerts. During the concert season of 1997-1998, the Orchestra recorded 8 CDs for Italian, Japanese and Romanian companies.

From 1998 to 2002, Yuri Botnari worked as an assistant to Gennady Rozhdestvensky, a world-renowned Russian conductor.

In 2003, Yuri Botnari performed on tour with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. His successful collaboration with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra continues to this day.

In 2006, Yuri Botnari contributed his expertise and enthusiasm into production of Yuri Simonov CD collection, with Sony DADC.

For over a decade, Yuri Botnari sponsors Master course for conductors at Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. 2005-2011 Guest Conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vice President of the Russian Music Society. Has organized and conducted concerts in Japan, Korea, Germany, Spain, Russia, and Eastern Europe. Has recorded 7 CDs with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.

2005 Awarded the George Enescu Gold Medal for Symphony Conducting by the Romanian Government, and was selected as a Great Mind of the 21st Century by the American Biographical Institute. In June 2005 he was listed in the Worldwide Honors List of International Biographical Centre (Cambridge, England) for Outstanding contribution to Symphony Conducting

2003   Conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra during the 16th edition of the “George Enescu” International Music Festival, Romania.

2001 The "100 Years Anniversary of the Great Hall of            Moscow State Conservatory" Festival, soloist: Chick Corea (USA). Conducted the Great Hall Symphony Orchestra.

1998 Sept. Organized the  of the Great Hall Symphony Orchestra tour. Took part at the 14th “George Enescu” Music Festival, Romania, Bucharest. Conducted the orchestra.

1998 July Participated in organization of Universal Youth Music Forum in Moscow. Conductor the World Children Symphony Orchestra.

1997 March Participated in organization of Russian- Korean Music Festival in Moscow. Conducted the concert.

1992   Took part in the Music Festival in Kiev. Conducted of the Ukrainian State Orchestra.

1985-1987 Held the post of Artistic Director and Principal. Conductor of the National Musical Theatre of Moldova.

1985 Participated in the Opera Festival in Cheleabinsk (Russia). Conducted the Chelabinsk Philharmony Orchestra.

1985 Took part in Festival of Soviet Song in               Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan). Conducted of the Leningrad State Concert Orchestra.

1983-1985 Participated in Fond Recordings of                music for artistic, documentary, and animated films for the “MELODIA” recording company (Russia). Conductor of the Leningrad State Concert Orchestra.

1984 Participated in the Festival of Soviet Music in                Donezk (Ukraine). Conductor of the Leningrad State Concert Orchestra.

1983   Participated in the Opera Festival in Sverdlovsk (Russia). Conductor of the Sverdlovsk Opera Orchestra.

1983   Took part in the Festival of Modern Music in Tbilisi. Conductor of the Leningrad State Concert Orchestra.