«I support holding 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi with all my heart, because I know very well how big the output of such events may be. The highest level of Russian musicians' performance is due mostly to international festivals and competitions that serve as a sort of an impetus for a musician to play even better. I'm sure that the same happens in sports: international competitions make the athlete press for better results and achieve new records. Winter Games, as the main event in winter sports, will give a unique impetus to develop national sports and will leave behind a multitude of world records achieved by Russian athletes».

Vladimir Spivakov is a world-famous violinist, art director, principal soloist and conductor of the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra, art director and principal conductor of the Russian National Orchestra and National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia.

At the age of thirteen Vladimir Spivakov won the first prize at the White Nights competition in Leningrad and debuted as a solo violinist on the stage of the Leningrad Conservatory Grand Hall. In 1967 Spivakov graduated from the Moscow Conservatory. His brilliant international career started in 1975, after Vladimir Spivakov's triumphant solo appearances in the USA. At various times Maestro Spivakov performed as a soloist with the best symphony orchestras of the world.

In 1979 Vladimir Spivakov with a group of fellow musicians established the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra and becomes its continuous art director, principal conductor and soloist. The career of V. Spivakov as a symphony orchestra conductor developed successfully alongside with his solo performing activities. He performed in the major world concert halls with the world leading orchestras. Vladimir Spivakov's extensive discography both as a soloist and a conductor includes more than 40 CDs with pieces of music belonging to different styles and epochs.

Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR (1989), the USSR State Prize (1989) and the order of People's Friendship (1993). In 1994, on account of the musician's 50th anniversary, the Russian Space Exploration Centre gave his name – «Spivakov» to one of minor planets.

In 1999 in honour to his contribution into the development of the world musical culture Vladimir Spivakov was awarded the order of Officer of Arts and Letters (France) and the order «For the Merits Before Motherland» III grade (Russia). In 2000 the musician was vouchsafed with the Legion of Honour order (France). In May 2002 Vladimir Spivakov was given the title of an Honoured Doctor of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

In January 2003, together with conducting the Moscow Virtuosi state chamber orchestra Vladimir Spivakov became art director and Principal Conductor of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. Since April 2003 Spivakov has been President of the Moscow International House of Music. On November 7, 2006 the outstanding Russian violinist and conductor was proclaimed UNESCO Artist for Peace for his immense contribution to the world art, his activities for peace and for the development of intercultural dialogue.

Vladimir Spivakov was born in 1944 in Ufa, Russia.

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