Isakadze Liana
Liana Isakadze (b. August 2, 1946, Tbilisi – d. July 5, 2024, Tbilisi), violinist and conductor, People's Artist of Georgia (1974) and the USSR (1988), laureate of the Z. Paliashvili (1979), Shota Rustaveli (1983) and Georgian State (2001) prizes, as well as prizes of a number of international competitions of musicians and performers (M. Long and J. Thibaut, Paris, 1965, 1st prize; P. Tchaikovsky, Moscow, 1970, 3rd prize; J. Sibelius, Helsinki, 1970, 1st prize).
She received primary musical education at the Tbilisi Central Music School. In 1956, she took part in the Moscow International Festival Competition; In 1957, she won 1st prize in the Transcaucasian Competition of Musicians and Singers, and in 1961 – in the All-Union Competition. In 1968, she graduated from the Moscow Conservatory (class of D. Oistrakh).
In 1971–1990, she was a soloist of the Moscow Philharmonic, in 1981–1997 – artistic director and conductor of the State Honored Chamber Orchestra of Georgia. In 1988, the Isakadze Music Festival was held in Vienna several times, where her orchestra also participated. From 1983, Isakadze was the artistic director of the international festivals she founded (Night Serenades (1982–1988) in Bichvinta, the festival in Eichstätt (Germany), the Open Air Festival in Batumi, “Celebration of Arts” in Borjomi). From 1990, she was working in Germany, at the music academy she founded, where talented students from various countries (including Georgia) study. In Ingolstadt (Germany), Isakadze founded the Georgian Cultural Center — a charitable organization that helps young Georgian artists in the exhibition and realization of their work, awards scholarships. In 1999, she formed a new ensemble of the Georgian String Orchestra. At various times, she was a member of the jury of international competitions, and in 1998 — the head of the jury of the P. Tchaikovsky International Competition (Moscow). In 1990, she brought the Georgian Chamber Orchestra to Ingolstadt, which engaged in concert activities there. In 1992, she founded the D. Oistrakh Music Academy there.
Isakadze is one of the most prominent violinists of our time. Her performance is distinguished by artistry, deep musicality, and virtuoso technique. Her repertoire includes the best examples of classical and modern music.
Isakadze was the first performer of a number of works by Georgian composers (O. Taktakishvili's Violin Concerto and others). She was featured in the Finnish feature film Sibelius (1975), and the Japanese documentary Liana Isakadze (1974) was dedicated to her work. In 2000, she conducted a Concert Pilgrimage from Europe to Jerusalem (a film was made, directed by A. Vakhtangov). In 2003, the “1st Liana Isakadze International Competition” for violinists was held in St. Petersburg. She lived in Paris and Grasse, and in 2017, she returned to Georgia.
She is included in the Encyclopedia of Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century (Cambridge, 2002).
Vivaldi, The Four Seaasons, Summer (fragment), played by Liana Isakadze, 2000
In Tbilisi, a star dedicated to Isakadze was unveiled (2001) in front of the Great Concert Hall. In 2016, she was awarded the title of an Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi and Batumi. She was also awarded the Order of Honor (twice – 1998, 2000).
L. Sakvarelidze
