Concertmaster Lev Klychkov was born in Leningrad in 1960. He began his studies at the School for Gifted Children and then attended the Leningrad Conservatory (Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg Conservatory). While there he won first prize in violin and chamber music. In 1981 he won the All Union Violin Competition in Riga.

Mr. Klychkov’s talent came to the attention of Evgeny Mravinsky who appointed him to the Leningrad Philharmonic in 1983. In 1999 Yuri Temirkanov selected him for the position of concertmaster. He holds the title of Honored Artist of Russia. He is featured on numerous recordings with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Baltic Chamber Orchestra, World Orchestra for Peace and Nordic Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Klychkov has taught master classes in Korea and Taiwan. In addition to his performances with the Philharmonic, he is an avid chamber music performer throughout Russia, Europe and the Far East.