Semyon Bychkov (conductor)

Semyon Bychkov (Russian Семён Бычков, English transcription: Semyon Bychkov, born November 30, 1952 in Leningrad, now St Petersburg) is a conductor of Russian origin.

Semyon Bychkov grew up as the child of Jewish parents in Leningrad, where he was first the Glinka Choir School and then attended the Leningrad Conservatory. There, among other things, Ilya Musin was his teacher. In 1973 he won the Rachmaninov Conducting Competition. But because of its political setting, it did not come to the scheduled concert with the Leningrad Philharmonic. He emigrated in 1975 in the United States. From 1980 to 1985 he was director of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and was also guest conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic -. He took over the leadership of the orchestra in 1985 and held this post until 1989. From 1989 to 1998 he was Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris. It was followed by engagements at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic (1990 to 1994) at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino ( 1992-1998 ) and as Chief Conductor of the Dresden Semper Opera House (1998 to 2003). From 1997 to June 2010 he was chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne.

Semyon Bychkov is married to pianist Marielle, his brother was the conductor Yakov Kreizberg.