Mikhail Andrushchenko

In the orchestra since 2019

A true professional musician, Mikhail Andrushchenko possesses both the artistic charisma and the virtuosity to draw the audience’s attention. Having performed at various parts of the world, he has earned the respect of numerous fans due to his unique performing style.

Misha was born in 1992 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Feeling drawn to music since his early childhood, he got his primary education at the Donetsk State Music Academy under M.V. Ochosalsky. In 2008, as a student of the school at the Donetsk Music Academy, he won the Grand Prix at the “Blue Bird” international competition.

In 2012, Mikhail Andrushchenko went on to study at the Moscow State Conservatory under Sergei Kravchenko (violin) and Alexander Bonduriansky (chamber ensemble). In 2013, he became a student of Evgeny Levin, an adept of David Oistrakh’s violin school. Along with studies under E. Levin, Mikhail participated in master classes by outstanding violinists and teachers: Maxim Vengerov, Zakhar Bron, Eduard Grach and Vladimir Ivanov.

Mikhail Andrushchenko is an active performer who works with such conductors as Misha Rakhlevsky (Russia), Feihu Jiao (China) and many others across Russia and Ukraine. His creative portfolio includes collaborations with numerous well-known performers: Andrei Baranov (violin, Switzerland; winner of the Queen Elizabeth competition in Brussels), Olga Leman-Balashova (mezzo-soprano, Italy; soloist at the Royal Opera House of Parma), Artur Naziullin (clarinet, Russia; laureate of numerous international competitions), Siranush Gasparyan (mezzo-soprano, Armenia; soloist at the Erevan Opera), Olga Nefyodova (soprano, Russia; intern at the Mozarteum Salzburg conservatory), Mikhail Tkachyov (piano, Ukraine/China; laureate of numerous international competitions), Denis Lupachyov (flute, Russia; soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre orchestra), Anton Gakkel (cello, Russia; soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre orchestra and assistant to Valeri Gergiev), Vyacheslav Zubkov (piano, Ukraine).

It has been noted by listeners and famous musicians alike that to Mikhail Andrushchenko, the stage is a way back to himself: that is what brings out his full potential and allows him to express the sense of a music piece to its fullest.

Rooted in the traditions of the Soviet violin school, Mikhail Andrushchenko has a unique individual style, a signature sound and a knack of deep understanding of the score. His immaculate technique and unorthodox interpretation have been noted by Vladimit Spivakov and Alexander Trostyansky.

Mikhail Andrushchenko actively performs as a soloist and a member of chamber ensembles. He is the principal violin at the Rachmaninoff string quartet and a soloist at the Sochi chamber philharmonic.

CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING ANYTHING ELSE BUT A MUSICIAN?

A pilot. Back when I was around 19, I became interested in civil aviation. I have no experience in that area but it might be coming in the future. I can see myself going to pilot school at some point.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MUSIC?

Vanessa May was popular in the late 90s. She once played a concert in Kiev, which was aired on TV. I watched it, was very impressed, and began to cut violins out of cardboard. Then I asked my parents for a real violin. They bought it for me, and so it all began.

WHY DO YOU LOVE THE VIOLIN?

The violin is a very sensitive instrument. It has a human voice. No other instrument can sustain a sound indefinitely: wind players have to breathe, the piano sound has a beginning and an end. But the violin can sound for as long as you want it to. It’s also made of wood, which is a living material susceptible to many factors such as weather and humidity. I came to Saint Petersburg from Sochi yesterday, and my violin has been acting up a bit today: the weather has changed.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR STRONGEST MUSICAL IMPRESSION LATELY?

Maxim Vengerov’s concert, I guess. I had never seen him live before, but I recently got to attend his concert at the Grand Hall of the conservatory. My seat was close to the ceiling, and music was literally flying in the air!

ASIDE FROM MUSIC, WHAT ELSE GIVES YOU EMOTIONS JUST AS STRONG?

Nothing, I guess. I can enjoy literature, art, architecture — but it’s not the same thing. Music gives me goosebumps, and nothing can compare to it.

WHAT ARE YOUR THREE “DESERT ISLAND” RECORDINGS?

Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto performed by David Oistrakh and conducted by Gennadiy Rozhdestvensky. Any album by Cecilia Bartoli. And Chopin’s Piano Concertos played by Martha Argerich and Charles Dutoit.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN WORKING WITH MUSICAETERNA?

The power of emotion. It’s a rare sight in orchestras: usually everyone comes to work, grabs a coffee, plays their part and goes home. But here, everyone is emotionally charged, and that’s all that matters. And of course, the musicians’ professional level is sky-high.