Anatoly Ivanovich Vedernikov (1920-1993) was an outstanding Soviet and Russian pianist, teacher and composer. In 1983, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR, and in 1985 he became a professor at the Moscow Conservatory.
Anatoly Vedernikov was born on May 3, 1920 in the family of the head of the stationery department. At the age of six, he began studying piano under the guidance of Vera Dillon. In 1930, he began his performing career, touring in China and Japan, and then returned to the Soviet Union. Since 1936, Vedernikov continued his studies at the Moscow Conservatory, where Heinrich Neuhaus became his mentor. In 1942, he became the soloist of the Moscow Concert. In the late 1930s, his parents became victims of Stalinist repression: his father was shot, and his mother was sentenced to eight years.
During the Great Patriotic War, Anatoly Vedernikov married Olga, the daughter of the famous philosopher Julia Gekker. Their son, Yuli Vedernikov, later became an artist. Vedernikov was a close friend of Svyatoslav Richter, and in the 1940s and 1950s they often performed together. He became the first performer of Sergei Prokofiev's Fourth Piano Concerto in the Soviet Union. Vedernikov also collaborated with Dmitry Shostakovich, performing his 1st and 24th preludes and fugues for the first time. Among other works that he presented to the public for the first time were Galynin's First Concerto, Sidelnikov's First Sonata, Ustvolskaya's Second Sonata, Frida's Sonatina, Razorenov's Variations on a Bach Theme, and Karetnikov's Lento Variations. He was also the first in the USSR to perform a number of foreign piano works, such as Igor Stravinsky's "Movements", Paul Hindemith's "Ludus tonalis", Arnold Schoenberg's Piano Concerto, Vladigerov's Third Piano Concerto and Six Pieces by Ernst Kshenek. Since 1963, Vedernikov toured extensively in socialist countries, and in 1980 he performed in Italy and Scotland, and then in Finland and Germany.
In 1958, Anatoly Vedernikov began teaching at the Gnessin Music Pedagogical Institute, and since 1963 became an associate professor. Since 1980, he has taught at the Moscow Conservatory, receiving the title of professor in 1985. In 1983, Vedernikov was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR.
Anatoly Vedernikov lived in Moscow at 3 Raskova Street. He died on July 29, 1993 after a long illness at his home in the village of Klyazma near Moscow.
