Benjamin Yusupov (Hebrew: בנימין יוסופוב; born November 22, 1962, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan) is a classical composer, conductor, and pianist.
Biography
Yusupov was born in Dushanbe, Tajik SSR (present-day Tajikistan) in 1962. He studied piano, composition, and conducting at the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow with Roman Ledeniov, Yuri Fortunatov, and Dmitri Kitajenko. He later earned his PhD at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel (2001).
Career
Yusupov is the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the "Israel Soloists" Chamber Orchestra, which he founded in 2015. He also serves as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Hakfar Hayarok Youth Symphony Orchestra (since 2012) and as Composer-in-Residence of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
He has collaborated with renowned artists including Maxim Vengerov, Mischa Maisky, Vadim Repin, Alexander Kniazev, Maxim Rysanov, Sergei Nakariakov, Konstantin Lifschitz, and Reinhold Friedrich. His compositions are published exclusively by Sikorski Musikverlag (Hamburg) and have been performed by major orchestras worldwide, including the London Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and many others.
Notable Works
- Viola Tango Rock Concerto (2005) – written for violinist Maxim Vengerov, premiered by the NDR Radio-Philharmonie in Hannover; featured in the documentary Living the Dream (EMI Classics).
- Cello Concerto (2007) – written for Mischa Maisky, commissioned by the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, and Israel Philharmonic.
- Voices of Violin – Concerto No. 2 for violin and orchestra (2013) – dedicated to and performed by Vadim Repin; commissioned by the Trans-Siberian Art Festival, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and Berliner Symphoniker.
Awards
- Clone Prize (1992)
- Sherover Award (1993)
- Israeli Prime Minister Prize (1999, 2008)
- ACUM Prize (2002, 2004)
- Landau Award for the Performing Arts (2007)
- Engel Prize (2009)
Selected Compositions
Orchestral: Falak (1988), Gabriel (1991), Symphony No. 1 (1992), Nostalgia (1992), Aleph (1995), Iniquities (1998), Go Tango (2003), Postludium (2003).
Concertante: Tanovor for flute and chamber orchestra (1994), Nola for various flutes and string orchestra (1994), Concerto for violin and orchestra (1998), Dasht for trombone, ethnic instruments and orchestra (1999), Concerto-Intimo for piano and orchestra (2005), Con Moto for marimba and string orchestra (2007), Images of the Soul for two clarinets and orchestra (2010), Listen to our cry for trumpet, piano and string orchestra (2015).
Chamber: String Quartet (1986), Sonata for cello and piano (1988), Quintet for marimba and string quartet (1996), Trio for violin, cello and piano (2000), Crossroads series (2003–2008), Musica Mundi for string quartet (2008).
Vocal: Vocal Cycle by Japanese Poets (1985), Feelings of Creation cantata (1995), Six Tanka for mezzo-soprano, violin and piano (1998).
