Igor Mikhailovich Zhukov (August 31, 1936, Gorky — January 26, 2018, Moscow) was a Soviet and Russian pianist and conductor, an Honored Artist of Russia. A native of Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod), in the last years of his active career he headed the Nizhny Novgorod chamber orchestra "Soloists of Nizhny Novgorod."[1]

Education and Career as a Pianist

Zhukov graduated from the music school attached to the Moscow Conservatory (class of Roizman), then from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory — first in the class of Emil Gilels, and later he moved to Heinrich Neuhaus, whom he himself called his main mentor: "Neuhaus turned me to face the place where I could see first glimmers, then rays, and finally the light itself."[2] In 1960 he graduated from the conservatory and became a soloist of Moskontsert, and from 1976, of the Moscow Regional Philharmonic.[3]

In 1957 Zhukov won second prize at the Marguerite Long–Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris, after which his regular concert activity in the USSR and abroad began.[1] A characteristic feature of his performing style was the independence of his interpretations: Zhukov consciously avoided clichés and preferred rarely performed works to textbook staples. Among Chopin's works he favored the preludes and the Third Sonata, among Schumann's the *Forest Scenes*, and among Tchaikovsky's not only the famous First Concerto but also the two other piano concertos.[4]

In 1972 Zhukov became the first in the USSR to record all of Alexander Scriabin's piano sonatas; the sonata album was released jointly by Melodiya and the American label Angel.[1][3] Alongside his solo work, for many years he played in a chamber trio with violinist Grigory Feigin and cellist Valentin Feigin, with whom he carried out the "Historical Concerts" cycle, spanning music of the 17th–20th centuries.[3] More than 40 records by Zhukov were released on the Melodiya label; in the 1990s he was recorded by such companies as Telos, Olympia, BMG, and Denon.[3]

Career as a Conductor

Zhukov came to conducting without any specialized training — following the logic of his own creative path. From 1978 to 1983 he directed the chamber orchestra of Ulyanovsk. In 1983 he founded the New Moscow Chamber Orchestra and led it until 1994.[3]

Connection with Nizhny Novgorod

Zhukov was born in Gorky and considered the city his small homeland.[4] In 2003–2004 he became a guest conductor, and then principal conductor, of the municipal chamber orchestra "Soloists of Nizhny Novgorod," and worked with it until 2008.[1][2] In August 2016 the orchestra marked the maestro's 80th birthday, and many musicians who had worked with Zhukov over the years responded to the occasion.[2]

Legacy

Zhukov left behind memoirs titled "Lessons of Life," as well as an extensive discography, ranging from Bach and the French harpsichordists to contemporary composers.[4][2] He is buried at the Vagankovo Cemetery in Moscow.[1]

Sources

  1. names52.ru — Zhukov Igor Mikhaylovich
  2. solistynn.ru — Maestro Igor Zhukov: In the Service of Music — Soloists of Nizhny Novgorod
  3. belcanto.ru — Igor Mikhaylovich Zhukov
  4. radio.orpheus.ru — Zhukov Igor Mikhaylovich — Radio Orpheus (Moscow 99.2 FM)