Passion, lyricism, virtuosity

Ala Voronkova has not only inherited a musical tradition which unites technical precision, musicality and perfect tuning. Her obsession with the instrument began even before she had learned to speak and, as a child prodigy, she won many international competitions. In Ukraine and later in Russia, Voronkova’s career progressed meteorically, performing in the most important concert halls in both countries and on Soviet radio and television. The Ukranian violinist alternates her work as a soloist with playing in different chamber music groups and symphonic orchestras. After moving to Europe in 1991, she has consolidated her career thanks to the passion she puts in her performances, her lyricism, her phrasing and the virtuosity which identifies her as an exceptional player –a perfect mix between pure talent and the mastery of one of the world´s most important musical traditions.

Born in Kiev, she graduated from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Moscow, where she studied with the legendary Yuri Yankelevich. Later, she completed her doctor’s degree at the Gniesini Institute with Nelly Shkolnikova. She was invited to participate in the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra for a number of seasons, where she also played in the Chamber Orchestra and the famous Ensemble of Violins at the Muscovite Theatre, as well as founding the Bolshoi Trio and the Bolshoi Quartet, with whom she performed in various Soviet capitals. She was later hired as soloist by the Moscow Philharmonic. After settling in Barcelona, she has worked as a soloist and leader with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, and as guest leader with the Liceu Opera House Symphony. She has performed in various cities in Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, and the Ukraine both in chamber music groups and with symphony orchestras.

Although renowned for her performances of Russian repertoire, her musical interests have led her to experiment with other styles, both in concerts and in the recording studio. Examples of this are her renderings of the complete work for violin by Xavier Montsalvatge, or the sonatas for violin and piano by Pavel Juon. In her long catalogue of commercial recordings, the string quartets by Eduard Toldrà are outstanding, and won the Barcelona City prize.

Ala Voronkova also teaches and has given master classes in conservertories and universities all over the world. She also makes frequent recordings for Spanish National Radio, Radio Switzerland and Catalan Television. At the moment she alternates her career as a soloist with playing as a leader with various symphony orchestras, as well as in the Voronkov Duo, the Glinka Quartet and the Clara Schumann Trio.

Ala Voronkova’s violin is a Gio Paolo Maggini, Brescia 1600.