Gidon Kremer, born in Riga in 1947, is considered one of the greatest living violinists… and yet, he may be the one who has taken the most unconventional path. His studies at the Moscow Conservatory under David Oistrakh refined his remarkable talent, during which he won prestigious competitions such as the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Paganini Competition in Genoa.
From there, his fame soared. But Kremer was never content with just the traditional repertoire: his deep curiosity led him toward contemporary music, collaborating with composers such as Schnittke, Pärt, and Gubaidulina. Their works—some written specifically for him—found in Kremer a passionate and devoted interpreter. Gidon’s discography, with over 120 albums, stands as a testament to his originality and dedication to music.
He is also the founder of Kremerata Baltica, an orchestra of young talents from the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), who won a Grammy Award in 2002.
