Biography
Not many conductors are the subject of a Hollywood film.
Born in Leningrad to a violinist of the Mariinsky Theater and a concert organist, Tchivzhel was surrounded by music before he could walk. He graduated from the Leningrad Conservatoire with the highest distinction in piano and conducting, won a prize at the Third Soviet Conductor’s Competition while still a student, and went on to serve as Assistant Conductor to the legendary Yevgeni Mravinsky with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. He scored many successes as a young conductor winning his first Music Director position with the Karelian Symphony Orchestra of National TV and Radio and invitations to conduct in Europe. Though travel and opportunity abroad was restricted by the government, a brilliant Soviet career was his for the taking.
He took something better instead. In February 1991, while touring the United States with the State Russian Symphony Orchestra, Tchivzhel defected. The full story has been covered by national media and serves as an inspiring story about the American Dream. He left behind prestige, security, and everything he’d ever known. His life story has been produced as a short documentary premiering at the Reedy Reels Film Festival in March 2024 and is seeking film development.
What followed was a career that flourished. He led three orchestras as music director in the United States over three decades, including the Atlantic Sinfonietta, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Greenville Symphony, where he transformed a modest regional ensemble into a nationally recognized organization, attracting the world’s greatest soloists. Yo-Yo Ma performed under his baton three separate times and afterward sent a rare public letter of gratitude and endorsement. Overseas, he was the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and became Permanent Guest Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, earning the highest ratings of any guest conductor in post-concert musician surveys. He has conducted on stages across America, Russia, Brazil, China, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Australia, New Zealand and worked with the world’s greatest artists. (see full bio on Maestro’s website)
He has won multiple awards including Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, the Congressional Johnny Appleseed Award, and the Order of the Palmetto (South Carolina’s highest award). Greenville, SC declared an official Edvard Tchivzhel Day and he received a letter from President Barrack Obama for his contributions to America’s cultural life.
On July 4th, 2026, Maestro Tchivzhel conducted the closing performance at Salute to America 250 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. His inspiring performance of the Star-Spangled Banner in front of a global television audience celebrates 250 years of America’s independence and his personal 35 years of freedom in America.
For a man who once bet everything on freedom, the returns have been extraordinary.
From the press
— Yo-Yo Ma"Maestro Tchivzhel is, simply put, a master... there is an authority and authenticity in his music-making that is indisputably commanding and communicative"
— New Zealand Herald"Following Tchivzhel every inch of the way the strings breathed themselves into Tchaikovsky's third movement... Great programming this, and an exciting concert"
— Classical Voice America"Mahler's Fifth Symphony that concluded the program will be most remembered for Tchivzhel's radiant, elegantly shaped account of the work's poignant fourth movement. The stirring fifth movement finale finished the concert in joyous style"
— San Francisco Classical Voice"The Scherzo was a set of steady but abruptly shifting tempos, with a drop into a calmer luxuriousness in the trio… the crispness of the winds and an almost military precision in the heavy brass and percussion came to the fore… this was outstanding work from the orchestra, which was fully responsive to Tchivzhel’s ideas."
— Limelight Magazine"He works excellently with the group in these rhythmic sections and hurting finishes. The passion and extravagance of the piece were well tempered by precision and clarity"
— The Mercury News"The orchestra responded magnificently to Tchivzhel all night, as he offered a grand sense of proportion in Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. From the opening Largo, thick, weeping textures were shaped with aristocratic elegance, and attractive melodies were supported beautifully by the harmony. Tchivzhel communicated the way Rachmaninoff composed: building toward a central climax and overwhelming the listener with emotion."
— Washington Post"Tchivzhel's recording of Norman Dello Joio's compositions for Martha Graham Ballet Company delivered a high standard, vivid gestures, and strong emotional overtones"
— The Greenville News"Tchivzhel drove them and the orchestra with so much energy, I thought he'd fly off the rostrum"
For booking inquiries
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Availability for the 2026-27, and 2027-28 seasons. Availability for guest conducting engagements, residencies, and conducting master classes.
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