Second Violins

Elena Ivanova

In the orchestra since 2019

Elena Ivanova graduated from the Kiev State Conservatory (Yaroslava Rivnyak’s class) and completed a solo post-graduate programme at the Moscow State Conservatory (Professor Alexander Vinnitsky’s class). She has performed with the musicAeterna orchestra since 2018.

In 2001–2004 she performed with the Kiev Chamber Orchestra conducted by Roman Kofman. In 2005 she participated in the Verbier Festival (Switzerland) and the following tour as a member of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra conducted by J. Levine.

In 2006 as a member of the Piano Quartet named after Ippolitov-Ivanov (artistic director – Professor A. Bonduryansky) she became the winner of the XVI International Chamber Music Competition in Thessaloniki. In 2007 the ensemble recorded a CD of quartets by Beethoven and Brahms.

In 2007–2010 she performed with the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra under the direction of V. Fedoseyev. In 2011–2018 she was deputy concertmaster of the Novaya Opera Theatre orchestra in Moscow. In 2018–2019 she was a member of the string quartet The Academy of Chamber Music under the direction of Igor Bobovich.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN BEING A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN?

Playing the violin at musicAeterna is an uplifting and thoroughly joyful experience to me. No matter what happens in my life, this always remains my happy place.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Life itself motivates me; so do music, sports and talented people. But the main thing is, of course, love in the broadest sense of the word. Love helps to understand any composer and any kind of art in general.

WHICH KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU FIND MORE INTERESTING TO WORK WITH: MODERN OR OLD?

I am interested in both. When you play old music, you take a journey through various eras and get introduced to a variety of styles. Modern music, on the other hand, substantially broadens your outlook and improves your playing technique. What’s more, modern music is created by your contemporaries, and it is intriguing to compare their perception of the world with your own.

WHAT DOES MUSICAETERNA MEAN TO YOU?

It means happiness. Working with Maestro is a very valuable opportunity, first and foremost. He is our mastermind and our source of energy. Secondly, it is an honor to have such colleagues. Each member of the orchestra is there for a reason. Everyone here is dedicated to music. Everyone here is a true professional and a nice person that is a pleasure to work with.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION IN LIFE?

I strive for perfection and happiness.