Graduated from Moscow Conservatory (class of J.Zaka, E.Gilels). He is a laureate of Bach International Competition (Leipzig, 1969, I prize), Queen Elizabeth International Competition (Brussels, 1972, I prize). Since 1974 lives abroad (at the present in France). Performs in Europe, USA, Japan. Had concerts with famous orchestras of Europe, such as: Berlin Philharmonic, London Royal Philharmonic, orchestra of Mariinsky Theatre. Made with the company “DENON” some recordings (Beethoven, Brahms, Musorgsky). Last years V. Afanassiev practice also as a conductor. A lot of time devotes to literature work. He is author of ten novels on English and French, poems, musical articles. He is also a famous expert and collector of vine and antiquarian furniture.
At present lives in Versailles.