Violinist Liana Isakadze Has Died, Age 77

The Georgian violinist was celebrated for her illustrious career in the Chamber Orchestra of Georgia and the founding of the David Oistrakh Academy

A protege of David Oistrakh, Ms. Isakadze is a former prize winner at the Margaret Long and Jacques Thibaud, Tchaikovsky, and Sibelius International Violin Competitions.

Born on August 2, 1946, in Tbilisi, Isakadze first received her musical education at the Tbilisi Central Music School under Professor Leo Shiukashvili. She graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1970.

She served as the long-term Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of Georgia  and in 1981, she was invited to serve as its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. The orchestra was directed by Isakadze until 2005.

After moving to Ingolstadt, Germany, she founded the David Oistrakh Academy. She also established numerous international festivals — including Night Serenades in Georgia and Germany, Musicians Joking in Tbilisi and Moscow, the Arts Festival in Borjomi, and the Liana Isakadze Festival in Vienna and Lichtenstein.

Her accolades include the honorary titles of People’s Artist of Georgia and People’s Artist of the USSR — at the time, she was the youngest musician ever to receive the title. She is featured in the 2002 encyclopedia 2000 Outstanding Musicians, published by the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge. She also received the State Prize of Georgia on three occasions.

Numerous documentary films have been made about Liana Isakadze in Georgia, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Japan, and Russia.

Our condolences to Ms. Isakadze's family, friends, and colleagues.