Oksana Razzhivina
Director
About the Orchestra
Yaroslavl Academic
Governor’s Symphony
Orchestra
The Yaroslavl Academic Governor’s Symphony Orchestra is one of Russia’s leading and most respected ensembles. It was founded in 1944 by Alexander Yefimovich Umansky, a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory.
Over the years, the orchestra has been led by remarkable conductors, each contributing a distinctive chapter to its rich artistic history. The ensemble’s high reputation and strong performance traditions are indebted to Alexander Umansky, Yuri Aranovich, Daniil Tyulin, Viktor Barsov, Pavel Yadykh, Vladimir Ponkin, Vladimir Vais, Igor Golovchin and Murad Annamamedov.
Over the years, the orchestra has worked with distinguished conductors including Y. Fayer, O. Dimitriadi, K. Eliasberg, N. Rabinovich, K. Kondrashin, F. Mansurov, Y. Simonov, P. Kogan, G. Provatorov and N. Järvi.
At different times, the orchestra has collaborated with pianists Alexander Goldenweiser, Emil Gilels, Yakov Zak, Lev Oborin, Maria Yudina, Bella Davidovich, Lazar Berman, Nikolai Petrov, Vladimir Krainev, Denis Matsuev, Yuri Rozum and Alexander Korobeinikov; violinists David Oistrakh, Leonid Kogan, Viktor Klimov, Viktor Tretyakov and Gidon Kremer; cellists Sviatoslav Knushevitsky, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniil Shafran, Natalia Shakhovskaya, Natalia Gutman and Mark Drobinsky; and vocalists Irina Arkhipova, Galina Vishnevskaya, Elena Obraztsova, Maria Bieșu, Vladislav Pyavko, Yuri Mazurok, Alexander Vedernikov, Ildar Abdrazakov and many others.
Yaroslavl audiences warmly welcomed author concerts by Dmitri Shostakovich, Aram Khachaturian, Tikhon Khrennikov, Georgy Sviridov, Alexandra Pakhmutova, Andrei Eshpai, Rodion Shchedrin, Avet Terterian, Vladimir Martynov and Eduard Artemyev, with the composers taking part.
Principal Conductor — Honoured Artist Vasily Valitov
Since September 2024, Vasily Valitov, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan, has been the Principal Conductor of the Yaroslavl Academic Governor’s Symphony Orchestra. He took over the orchestra in its landmark 80th season. His arrival has brought a series of significant developments: a higher artistic standard, new creative initiatives, including international projects, tours and concerts with renowned soloists. Vasily Valitov is a powerful source of ideas and creative initiatives for both the orchestra and the Yaroslavl Region.
Orchestra Administration
Anastasia Redkina
Assistant Conductor
Evgenia Golubeva
Administrator
Irina Vardanyan
Administrator
Lali Iritsyan
Administrator
Galina Solovyeva
Administrator
Elena Volkova
Librarian
Yulia Skvortsova
Public Relations Specialist
Orchestra members
Vasily Valitov
Principal Conductor of YAGSO
Anatoly Oselkov
Conductor
Alexey Chugaev
Conductor
Olga Luchkova
First Violin
Polina Selezneva
First Violin
Sergei Skvortsov
First Violin
Natalia Konopleva
First Violin
Alevtina Lazareva
First Violin
Natalia Plesovskikh
First Violin
Kirill Safronenko
First Violin
Irina Vardanyan
First Violin
Anatoly Perevalov
First Violin
Daria Milovidova
First Violin
Ruben Khubiarov
First Violin
Evgenia Kerimova
First Violin
Polina Blagorodnova
First Violin
Natalia Gorbunova
Second Violin
Elena Danilyuk
Second Violin
Tatiana Molyushkina
Second Violin
Ksenia Orlova
Second Violin
Mikhail Batin
Second Violin
Pyotr Safonov
Second Violin
Irina Kudryashova
Second Violin
Anna Shafranskaya
Second Violin
Anastasia Gangur
Second Violin
Tigran Mgeryan
Viola
Elvira Popova
Viola
Lali Iritsyan
Viola
Alexandra Khristich
Viola
Polina Pruzhanskaya
Viola
Olga Koroleva
Viola
Tatiana Kruglova
Viola
Anastasia Medvedeva
Viola
Maxim Tumansky
Viola
Vladimir Dubov
Viola
Nadezhda Tikhanovich
Cello
Dmitry Surikov
Cello
Olga Petrenko
Cello
Olga Tumanskaya
Cello
Mikhail Kireev
Cello
Anastasia Markuze
Cello
Botir Akhmedov
Double Bass
Marina Akhmedova
Double Bass
Dmitry Denisov
Double Bass
David Ivliev
Double Bass
Alexander Ruga
Double Bass
Alexey Chekmenev
Flute
Marina Golubkova
Flute
Diana Rybkina
Flute
Yulia Fomina
Flute
Roman Alexandrov
Oboe
Dmitry Korolev
Oboe
Andrei Baboshin
Oboe
Viktor Shafransky
Clarinet
Alexander Yurin
Clarinet
Yuri Smirnov
Clarinet
Dmitry Mishurov
Clarinet
Mikhail Aksenov
Bassoon
Anastasia Dudareva
Bassoon
Nikolai Kalinin
Bassoon
Evgeny Anosov
Bassoon
Alexander Evteev
French Horn
Andrei Koroteev
French Horn
Mikhail Dubov
French Horn
Anton Orlov
Trumpet
Mikhail Sokolov
Trumpet
Dmitry Vasin
Trombone
Alexander Rybkin
Trombone
Alexey Andreev
Trombone
Vladislav Volkov
Trombone
Alexey Frolov
Tuba
Maria Chistikova
Percussion
Anatoly Panov
Percussion
Vladimir Popov
Percussion
Anna Popova-Evteeva
Percussion
Anna Lushchik
Piano
Ekaterina Babochkina
Harp
Partners
Since 2025, the orchestra has collaborated with the Association of Laureates of the International Tchaikovsky Competition on the creative project Young Stars for Yaroslavl.
Beginning with its 81st season, the Yaroslavl Symphony Orchestra has appeared on regional television through its partnership with the YaPervy TV channel. These broadcasts include the Neda Ayazyan Yaroslavl Regional Television Competition for Young Performers, YaMusician, as well as special televised concert programmes for New Year, Defender of the Fatherland Day, International Women’s Day and Victory Day.
The principal conductor and orchestra give special attention to children's and youth programmes. Through concerts in unusual formats and venues, they make classical music accessible to everyone.
The Yaroslavl Academic Governor’s Symphony Orchestra is:
A highly professional ensemble of talented musicians.
Vibrant, engaging and varied concert programmes and projects.
A talented, strong and charismatic leader — Principal Conductor Vasily Valitov.
The love of audiences and consistently sold-out halls.
Creative courage and openness to experiment and innovation.
Respect for tradition and a vision for the future.