Igor Naimark
Igor Aronovich Naimark (1955–2017) was a distinguished Soviet and Israeli pianist, composer, and arranger. Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, he began his musical studies at the age of five, learning both the cello and the piano. He received his foundational education at the Kharkiv Secondary Specialized Music School, studying under N. Y. Goldinger and Professor B. A. Sklovsky. During the 1970s, he also traveled to Moscow to take lessons from the renowned pianist Dmitri Bashkirov.
His academic journey continued at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied in the class of Yakov Zak from 1973 to 1975. However, due to political pressure and issues with the KGB in Moscow, he was forced to return to Ukraine. He completed his higher education at the Kharkiv Institute of Arts in 1979, studying under M. A. Eshchenko, Yuri Smirnov, and Regina Horowitz.
Naimark's professional career in the Soviet Union was marked by several prestigious appointments. He served as a soloist for the Kharkiv Philharmonic, the Belgorod Philharmonic, and the Kirovograd Philharmonic. Between 1987 and 1990, he was a soloist with the Belarusian State Philharmonic in Minsk. His versatility was evident early on, as he performed not only as a classical pianist but also as a jazz improviser.
In 1991, Naimark immigrated to Israel, living in Sderot and later in Rishon LeZion. He became a respected educator, teaching at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music. His international career flourished as he performed in concert halls across Europe and the Americas. He was also highly active as a composer and arranger, blending various musical traditions in his work.
Throughout his life, Naimark earned significant recognition, including first prize at the Lysenko Competition in Lviv in 1979 and awards at the All-Union Piano Competition in Sochi in 1984. He passed away in 2017 in Rishon LeZion, leaving behind a legacy as a brilliant performer and a dedicated mentor to the next generation of musicians.
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