Михаил Плетнёв

Mikhail Pletnev is a Russian pianist, conductor, and composer born in 1957 in Arkhangelsk. He won the Gold Medal at the 1978 International Tchaikovsky Competition and later founded the Russian National Orchestra in 1990, serving as its artistic director and principal conductor. Pletnev is renowned for his interpretations of Russian repertoire, particularly the works of Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev, and has recorded extensively for Deutsche Grammophon and Pentatone. His conducting career includes appearances with major orchestras worldwide, and he remains active as both a soloist and ensemble leader.