Igor V. Syroezhkin

Performer (bayan), teacher.

He was born in 1962. In 1981 he graduated from the First Moscow Regional Music College in Kolomna (bayan class of V. I. Surov). In the same year he entered the Gnesin State Musical and Pedagogical Institute (now the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music), where he first studied with Professor V. P. Kuzovlev and then with Professor V. F. Belyakov. He graduated from the Gnesin Institute in 1986 and completed a postgraduate assistant traineeship there in 1991 under V. F. Belyakov.

He is a laureate of the Third All‑Russian Competition for Performers on Folk Instruments (Tula, 1986, Second Prize) and of the World Cup International Bayan and Accordion Competition (Białystok, Poland, 1986, Third Prize).

Since 1986 I. V. Syroyezhkin has pursued an active concert career in Russia and abroad. Alongside his solo work he actively promotes folk music as a member of various ensembles, and his vivid talent has found full expression in ensemble performance.

In 1988 he founded the ensemble «Korobeiniki» and recorded the CD «Russian Feast». Later his main work shifted to the ensemble Moscow with Golden Domes, with which he recorded the CD «Anniversary» and made numerous studio recordings for radio and television. The ensemble has enjoyed wide popularity, as shown by its extensive touring in Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Turkey, Mexico and other countries.

Since 2002 I. V. Syroyezhkin has performed with the Russian music ensemble «U kamina» («At the Fireplace»).

The ensemble tours extensively in Russia and abroad and has appeared at prestigious venues including:

• the Central House of Art Workers Concert Hall;
• the Concert Hall on Povarskaya Street;
• the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music Concert Hall;
• the Shilov Gallery Concert Hall;
• the House of Architects Concert Hall;
• the Russian State Library Concert Hall;
• the House of Artists Concert Hall;
• the P. I. Tchaikovsky House‑Museum Concert Hall and others.

The ensemble has performed with leading soloists such as State Prize laureate and Bolshoi Theatre soloist, People’s Artist A. Vedernikov; Bolshoi Theatre soloist, People’s Artist M. Matorin; People’s Artist of Russia S. Baykov; Honoured Artist of Russia and Moscow Philharmonic soloist O. Chesnokova; Honoured Artist of Russia O. Chetoeva; Honoured Artist F. Anikeyev; Bolshoi Theatre soloist V. Gilmanov; Novaya Opera Theatre soloist V. Yefanov; Honoured Artist A. Pashkevich and others.

The ensemble has created numerous distinctive concert programmes, including:

• «Under the Sky of Italy and Russia»;
• «Italian Canzone and Russian Romance»;
• «Musical Evenings at the A. Shilov Gallery» and many others.

The following CDs have been released:

• «At the Fireplace»;
• «Mosaic»;
• «Memory Calls Us to the Past in Song»;
• «If I Had Mountains of Gold»;
• «Native Expanses»;
• «Unforgotten Melodies»;
• «Across the Blue Sky»;
• «Russian Basses in Russian Folk Song».

In the ensemble «U kamina» he combines his performing work with that of accompanist and head of the instrumental group of the model folk ensemble «Svetelka».

This ensemble has repeatedly become a laureate of international competitions, including:

• the International Folklore Competition in Primorsko (Bulgaria);
• the Spring Starfall International Competition (Poland);
• the International Competition‑Festival «U Tatranskogo Istochnika» (Slovakia) and others.

The ensemble has toured in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Latvia, Bulgaria, Austria and other countries.

In addition to his concert work, I. V. Syroyezhkin is highly active as a teacher. Since 1988 he has taught bayan at the Gnesin State Musical and Pedagogical Institute – Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, and since 1991 he has simultaneously headed the Folk Instruments Department of the Music Faculty and taught at the State Institute of the Arts for the Disabled in Moscow (now the Russian State Specialised Academy of Arts).

He has trained twelve laureates of international and all‑Russian competitions. Many of his graduates now work in concert organisations and performing ensembles in Russia and abroad.

At the State Specialised Institute of Arts (now the Russian State Specialised Academy of Arts), in whose foundation he played an active role, I. V. Syroyezhkin has proved himself a skilled organiser of the educational process for students with disabilities. He developed the first specialist‑cycle curricula specifically adapted for blind musicians.

His organisational talent is evident not only in the creation of the Folk Instruments Department at the State Specialised Institute of Arts, which he currently heads, but also in the organisation and running of two International Louis Braille Competitions and national qualifying competitions for blind and visually impaired musicians, for which he served as Executive Secretary and jury member.

I. V. Syroyezhkin has served on the juries of:

• the Tenth International Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Performers (Prague);
• the First to Fourth International Competitions for Blind Performers (Kursk);
• the Play, Bayan Festival (Rzhev);
• the Moscow City Instrumental Performance Competition‑Festival;
• the Moscow International Competition‑Festival The Sun Shines for All;
• the Moscow International Competition‑Festival Lyrics of Russia;
• the Crystal Star International Competition (Bulgaria), the Stars of the Big Cities International Competition (Moscow) and others.

His work has been recognised with numerous commendations, including an Honorary Diploma of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation «For a major contribution to the development of culture». He holds the title «Veteran of Labour».