Yuri Aleshnikov: Concert Virtuosity and the Artistry of the Javier Mengual & José Miguel Moreno Serie C

Acclaimed international concert guitarist Yuri Aleshnikov performs on a luthier-built Javier Mengual & José Miguel Moreno Serie C guitar, a top-tier instrument celebrated for its exceptional harmonic depth, lightning-fast attack response, and authentic traditional Spanish tone.

Born in Belgorod in 1985 into a distinguished musical family, Aleshnikov began his classical guitar studies at age five under the tutelage of his father, a fundamental figure in regional guitar pedagogy. He graduated from the Rostov State Rachmaninov Conservatory in 2008 under Professor A.S. Danilov and completed his postgraduate assistantship in 2016 at the prestigious Gnesin Russian Academy of Music under the guidance of Professor N.A. Komolyatov.

Awards, International Honors, and Concert Career

Throughout his career, Yuri Aleshnikov has won more than 16 national and international guitar competitions in Germany, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, and Russia. Highlights include First Prize at the International Festival "Guitar Renaissance" (Gomel, Belarus, 2018), First Prize at the "Viva Guitar" International Competition (Kursk, 2017), First Prize at "Guitar Virtuosos" (St. Petersburg, 2007), and Second Prize at the prestigious Parkening International Guitar Competition in Malibu (California, USA, 2009).

A recipient of prestigious grants from the Russian Performing Arts Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and the New Names Foundation, Yuri has performed solo recitals across Eastern Europe. His performance format blends concert mastery with educational outreach, sharing insights on classical guitar history and its master composers. As a soloist in chamber ensembles and orchestral settings, he is celebrated for his extraordinary stylistic versatility.

Artistic Direction, Pedagogy, and Cultural Initiatives

Since 2012, Aleshnikov has served as co-founder and artistic director of the Russian Guitar Quartet, while also performing as a soloist with the Moscow Orthodox Theater Zhivaya Voda since 2010. His concert appearances include landmark stages such as the Small Hall of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, the Union of Russian Composers, and high-level international diplomatic events, such as performing for heads of state at the Sochi International Economic Forum.

An accomplished educator, he co-authored a renowned classical guitar method alongside his father, Professor E.A. Aleshnikov. He is currently Head of the Guitar Department at the Lomonosov Music School in Moscow and leads the Segoviana Guitar Studio educational project. Frequently invited as an international adjudicator and masterclass lecturer, his recent endeavors include directing the Melomania.Moscow cultural initiative and co-founding the Young Winds Festival.

Follow Yuri Aleshnikov

Discover concert schedules, educational projects, and recordings on the artist’s official channels:

• VKontakte: vk.com/guitaristyuri
• Facebook: facebook.com/yuri.aleshnikov
• YouTube: Official YouTube Channel

Performs on a Javier Mengual, José Miguel Moreno Series C model guitar Yuri Aleshnikov, a prominent professional guitarist, was born into a musical family in Belgorod on February 1, 1985. His musical journey began at the tender age of 5 under the tutelage of his father, a pivotal figure in the Belgorod classical guitar school. Yuri’s dedication led him to graduate from the Rostov State Academy of Music in 2008 under the guidance of Professor A.S. Danilov and in 2016, he completed an outstanding graduate assistant program at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, studying under Professor N.A. Komolyatov. Awards & Honors: His outstanding career has seen him triumph at 16 international and national guitar competitions across Russia, Germany, Poland, Yugoslavia and Ukraine. Among his notable victories are the first prize at the international competition-festival ‘Guitar Renaissance’ (Gomel, Belarus) in 2018 and the first prize at the International Competition ‘Viva Guitar’ (Kursk, Russia). His achievements extend to the second prize at the Parkening International Guitar Competition (Malibu, CA, USA) in 2009 and the first prize at the International Competition ‘Guitar Virtuosos’ (St. Petersburg, Russia) in 2007. Yuri has been honored with scholarships from prestigious institutions such as the Russian Foundation for Performing Arts, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and the New Names Fund. He has performed across much of Eastern Europe and Russia – Yuri Aleshnikov lights up stages with solo performances that transcend borders, captivating audiences in cities across Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. His concerts – often immersive ‘meet the artist’ experiences – combine entertainment with education. Yuri shares captivating stories about the classical guitar, its rich history, and the composers who have shaped its evolution. His ensemble performances – whether with flute, vocalists, violin, or string quartets – showcase his versatility. Additionally, as a soloist, Yuri moves seamlessly between genres, performing with symphonies, folk music, and chamber orchestras.** A significant milestone in Yuri’s career is his role as co-founder, participant, and artistic director of the Russian Guitar Quartet since 2012. He has also lent his talents to the Moscow Orthodox Theatre Zhuvaya Voda since 2010, contributing to both adult and children’s productions. Press: Yuri’s outstanding career has graced such renowned stages as the Concert Hall of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, the Union of Russian Composers, and the Small Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. Notable performances include appearances at the International Financial Forum in Sochi 2007, where he played for Presidents V. Putin, J. Chirac and G. Schroeder. His repertoire spans diverse eras and styles, from classical compositions by I. S. Bach and M. Giuliani to modern works such as N. Koshkin’s “Prince’s Toys” and M. Duplessi’s “Cavalcade.” Off stage, Yuri, together with his father, Professor E. A. Aleshnikov, co-wrote a teaching method for playing classical guitar. Since 1999, he has passed on his knowledge to students, many of whom have excelled in competitions and entered prestigious musical institutions. Yuri currently serves as Head of the Guitar Department at the Lomonosov Music School and leads the educational project, Segoviana Guitar Studio. As a respected figure in the musical community, Yuri is frequently invited to be a judge at regional and international guitar competitions in Russia and Belarus. His commitment to music education extends to teaching masterclasses for classical guitar teachers from various institutions. In recent times, Yuri has led projects such as Melomania.Moscow, organizing interactive live music events in the heart of Moscow, and co-founded the Young Winds Festival. Yuri Aleshnikov continues to enrich the world of classical guitar with his virtuosity, passion and dedication. Contact: VKontakte: http://vk.com/guitaristyuri Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuri.aleshnikov Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/belgitar