Andrei Pushkarev

In 1999 his musical career escalated to a new level. Andrei Pushkarev joined the Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra. Until today he holds the status of a well-recognized soloist as well as a principal percussionist of this ensemble.

World-famous violinist Gidon Kremer created the orchestra in 1997. Since 1999, Andrei has been touring with Kremerata Baltica around the world, participating in countless concerts. Additionally, he participated in numerous recordings as a member of the ensemble on labels such as Nonesuch, Deutsche Grammophon.ECM etc. As a soloist he can be heard on the CD release “After Mozart” which received a Grammy Award in 2001 in the U.S. as well as the Echo Award in 2002 in Germany.

In the summer of 1999, he performed for the first time at the Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus (Austria) and soon became a regular participant at this festival.
In the following years Pushkarev performed many compositions as solo vibraphonist at the Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus – along with arrangements of Astor Piazzolla, Richard Rogers, Peter Tchaikovsky, etc.

Since then he has made many arrangements for the vibraphone and violin solo with and without chamber orchestra. Together with Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica he performed in numerous concert halls all around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Albert Hall in London, the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg etc.

Gidon Kremer proposed the idea of making jazz arrangements using 15 two-voice inventions by J. S. Bach for solo vibraphone. Andrei developed the idea, having himself a great passion for jazz. Eventually, each of the famous Bach’s inventions was reshaped and executed in the style of variety of jazz pianists – including Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, etc. In spring 2004, Andrei Pushkarev performed the project “Bach Vibrations” for the first time in Basel (Switzerland) at the Gidon Kremer’s ”Les Museiques” festival. The same year he recorded the cycle. This CD, released by the Austrian “Gramola” label was recently mentioned by the Deutsche Schallplattenkritik Bestenliste, as one of the discoveries of the year.

In summer 2005, Andrei presented the “Bach Vibrations” project as a solo recital at the Verbier Music Festival (Switzerland).

Andrei Pushkarev has performed with renowned musicians including Yo Yo Ma, Martha Argerich, Vadim Repin, Sol Gabetta, Julius Berger, Julian Rachlin, Alexander Zemtsov, Gavriel Lipkind, Mario Brunello, Lukas Debargue, Plamena Mangova, Alexander Knyazev, Sergei Dogadin, Lukas Geniusas, Didier Lockwood, Michel Portal, Peter Sadlo, David Friedman, Emmanuel Sejourne. Additionally, he has worked with highly-regarded conductors such as Yury Temirkanov, Voldemar Nelsson, Roman Kofman.

In 2004, he was awarded the solo vibraphonist prize from the “Pro Europe” foundation. In 2005 Andrei did a world duo-tour with Gidon Kremer. After their duo-concert in Wigmore Hall, London, The Independent wrote: “…Pushkarev, in a delightfully modest manner (masking a ferocious technique), brought jazz, smoke and swing both tastefully and deeply musically to Bach.”

In 2006, Andrei Pushkarev toured with Gidon Kremer and Lithuanian pianist, Andrius Zlabys, as part of Kremer’s trio project, “From Bach to Piazzolla.” This project garnered huge accolades in the United States of America and in South America.

Since 2009 Andrei Pushkarev has been regularly giving Master-classes all around the world (North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia). He has served as a juror in numerous International percussion competitions such as TROMP percussion competition (Holland) and International PAS Competition (Italy), Northwestern Competition (USA) and many others.

In 2010, together with Gidon Kremer and Argentinean bandoneonist Dino Saluzzi, Andrei recorded “Themes from the Songbook” – music from cinema and theater by Georgian composer Giya Kancheli. In October 2010 this CD was released by ECM Records.

Since 2013 Andrei Pushkarev is endorser and the official performer of Majestic Percussion™ and Innovative Percussion™.

In November, 2017, Latvian National Opera staged the ballet “Don Juan” with music by Mozart and Chopin arranged by Andrei Pushkarev.

In March, 2020, National Theatre Brno (Czech Republic) staged the ballet “The Lady of the Camellias” with music by Schubert arranged by Andrei Pushkarev.

In June, 2020 together with percussionist Pavel Beliaev founded percussion duo GRAD.

In 2020, together with violoncellist Julius Berger and Pavel Beliaev recorded “Bach Frequencies 60-90” – music by J. S. Bach, Alessandro Marcello, Dmitri Schostakovich and Astor Piazzolla arranged by Andrei Pushkarev and Julius Berger for violoncello piccolo, vibraphone and marimba. In April 2021 this CD was released by Solo Musica.