Violаs

Grigoriy Chekmaryov

In the orchestra since 2011

Grigoriy Chekmarev was born in Kostroma. He studied music under Irina Gennadievna Beresneva, then graduated from the Tver music college (S.O. Miltonyan’s class).

From 2001 to 2006, he studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory (class of professor G.I. Odinets) and later went on to obtain his postgraduate degree.

From 2005 to 2011, he was a member of the Russian National Orchestra directed by M. Pletnev.

Grigoriy Chekmarev is a laureate of Russian and international competitions, as well as a Candidate of Pedagogic Sciences.

He was a teacher at the Moscow Academy of Social Management.

Since 2011, Grigoriy Chekmarev has been a soloist at the musicAeterna orchestra directed by Teodor Currentzis.

As a member of chamber ensembles, he has shared the stage with Natalia Gutman, Nikita Borisoglebskiy, Alena Baeva, Andrey Baranov, Alexander Buzlov and many other outstanding performers.

WHAT WAS THE VERY FIRST MUSICAL IMPRESSION IN YOUR LIFE?

My first musical impressions must have been related to natural phenomena and the mood they create: the wind howling, the rain falling, the grass rustling. Impressionistic feelings. Of course, they grew richer with time. The first music I remembered must have been Vivaldi’s. I was surrounded by music, though: campfire songs, radio programmes, the records that played at home.

WHEN DID YOU REALISE YOU WANTED TO BE A MUSICIAN?

Rather late — probably at the age of 15 or so. That is when I went away to another city to study and decided to take music seriously. Truth be told, my father was not quite happy about it: musicians were considered to be not quite well-off. Music is something you have to be one of the very best at.

WHAT HAS PLAYED THE KEY ROLE IN YOUR CAREER?

Nothing else but my ability to set a specific goal, reach it, then set a new one. Step by step. Nothing extraordinary. Of course, keeping in touch with good musicians is also important: it inspires me and helps me grow.

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE PROFESSIONALLY?

In fact, I consider myself lucky: I work in the troupe I want to work at, with the musicians I want to work with. I surely have not achieved everything I can, so I am not going to stop; but my growth will now be mostly horizontal rather than vertical. I strive to get new experience, feel new musical emotions, find new colors. Other than that, I have all I have ever wished for.

SO, ARE YOU A HAPPY PERSON?

That is true. I am a very happy one.