Yuli Turovsky leading the I Musici De Montreal Chamber (2000s).
Photo Credit : I Musici de Montréal
1939 - 2013
Yuli Turovsky
Yuli Turovsky was an acclaimed Soviet-born Canadian cellist, conductor and music educator who founded and directed the I Musici de Montréal Chamber Orchestra.
Turovsky was born in Moscow, in the former Soviet Union. At seven, he began playing the cello at the Moscow Central Music School, and then attended the Moscow Conservatory (1957-1969). He became a rising star in the Soviet classical music scene, winning first prize in the USSR Cello Competition and second prize at the Prague Spring International Music Festival. He went on to become lead cello for the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.
In the 1970s, Turovsky and his family settled in Montreal. There, he founded the I Musici de Montréal Chamber Orchestra (1983), which became one of the best known classical ensembles in Canada. Turovsky’s wife, Eleanora, was principal violin of the string orchestra from its founding until 2011, and he directed and conducted it until his death in 2013, from Parkinson’s disease.
Over the course of his career, Turovsky produced over 30 recordings. He toured internationally as a soloist, with the Borodin Trio, and with his string orchestra. He also taught at the Quebec Music Conservatory in Montreal (1977- 1985) and at UQAM (1979-until the early 2010s).
Turovsky was named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec (2010) and an Officer of the Order of Canada (2012), and he received the 2012 lifetime achievement award from the Quebec Music Council (Prix Opus).
