Vladimir Spivakov is a conductor and violinist from Ufa, Russia whose long career as a classical musician has seen him rise to become one of Russia's most prized contemporary classical musicians. Despite being best known within his home country, Spivakov's international performances have been hailed by many critics and classical musicians, particularly Leonard Bernstein, who in 1984, turned over his conductor's baton to the talented musician. Since then, Spivakov has founded the world-renowned ensemble, the Moscow Virtuosi, as well as being named in 1991 as the People's Artist of the USSR.
