Pavel Kogan (conductor)

Pavel Kogan (born June 6, 1952, Moscow) is a Russian conductor and violinist. He is the son of violinists Leonid Kogan and Elizaveta Gilels, and nephew of pianist Emil Gilels.

Kogan began his musical education at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory. He subsequently studied violin with Yuly Yankelevich and conducting with Ilya Musin at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory.

In 1970, he won first prize at the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki. He embarked on a successful career as a violinist, performing as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide.

Kogan gradually shifted his focus to conducting. He served as the music director of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra from 1989 to 1991.

In 1998, he was appointed music director and principal conductor of the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra (now the Moscow City Symphony Orchestra, Russian Philharmonic). He has held this position since, leading the orchestra on numerous international tours and recording projects.

Kogan is known for his interpretations of a wide range of repertoire, including works by Russian composers such as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich, as well as Western classical and romantic composers. He is also active in promoting contemporary music.