As head of two of Russia's most important musical institutions, the Kirov (later Mariinsky) Opera and Ballet Theater (1976-88) and the Leningrad (later St. Petersburg) Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he was chief conductor for more than thirty years. 1988 Yuri Temirkanov, who has died at the age of 84, was at the foundation of music in the Soviet Union for almost half a century.
He was also a well-known figure internationally, not only for his frequent tours with Russian orchestras, but also for his relationships with American, British and other European ensembles.
From 1979 he was principal guest and principal ...
