Yuri Temirkanov, a renowned Russian conductor deeply rooted in his country’s rich musical heritage, passed away on November 2 in St. Petersburg at the age of 84. He held a prominent position in the city for over 30 years. His death was announced by both the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, where he served as music director from 1988 to 2022 (during which it was still known as the Leningrad Philharmonic), and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, where he held the same position from 2000 to 2006. A close associate in Baltimore revealed that Mr. Temirkanov had been experiencing heart troubles and died in a care facility.
Throughout his career, Temirkanov had numerous notable achievements. As a young boy, he held hands with Prokofiev; in his prime, he served as the artistic director of the renowned Kirov Opera in what was then Leningrad, assuming the role before the age of 40. In his later years, he consulted with Shostakovich, conducted major orchestras worldwide, and was highly revered in his home country.
A grand memorial service was held on Sunday at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, where his open coffin was accompanied by an orchestral performance of Tchaikovsky.
Temirkanov was particularly associated with the Russian repertoire, including works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev. He skillfully drew out bold and rich sounds from his orchestras, infusing each phrase with profound meaning. However, he also found nuances in the more subtle works of Haydn.
While critics praised his ability to shape extended musical lines with minimal hand gestures (as he eschewed the use of a baton), some found his unpredictability and inconsistency perplexing. In 2012, he caused controversy by stating in an interview that women should not be conductors as it went against nature. He explained that a woman should be “beautiful, likable, attractive” and that musicians would be distracted from the music if they looked at her. His handpicked associate conductor in Baltimore, Lara Webber, disagreed with these views, stating that they were inconsistent with her own experience. She described Temirkanov as a supportive boss and a compassionate humanist.
Temirkanov generally avoided politics, although he claimed to have never joined the Communist Party during his time in the Soviet Union. However, he considered President Vladimir V. Putin as a close friend. He successfully lobbied Putin for funding and was the first recipient of a new medal created by the president.
According to Gregory Tucker, who worked closely with Temirkanov as the publicity director for the Baltimore orchestra, Temirkanov had candid discussions with Putin about the financial crisis faced by Russian orchestras in the post-Soviet era.
To his American colleagues, Temirkanov was a mysterious yet captivating figure. He represented a bygone era of the Soviet Union and adhered to traditional methods of music instruction that are now rare. He rarely used English and did not actively seek to cultivate audiences, which some attributed to shyness rather than aloofness.
For the musicians who performed under Temirkanov in Baltimore, the experience was unlike any other with a conductor. He emphasized expressiveness through hand and body movements, resembling a ballet performance on the podium. Rather than exerting control over the orchestra, he aimed to guide them in a specific direction. He used few words, but his singing of musical phrases conveyed deep meaning and understanding.
Temirkanov was well-known internationally and conducted esteemed orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and London Symphony Orchestra, among others.
His appointment as music director in Baltimore was met with astonishment, as he joined an orchestra that, while considered good, was not among the top five in the country. The city celebrated the arrival of a world-class conductor, and a respectful and awe-filled relationship ensued.
Temirkanov’s son, Vladimir, who was a violinist in the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, and his wife, Irina Guseva, predeceased him. He is not survived by any immediate family members.