The conductor of the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the St.Petersburg Philharmonic, honored artist of Russia, Cavalier of the Friendship Order, Professor VLADIMIR ALTSHULER joined the orchestra in 1969, a year before graduating from the Leningrad Conservatory (alto class of Y. Kramarov). In 1972, the musician founded the Philharmonic String Quartet, and in 1982 became the leader of the viola group. Vladimir Altshuler simultaneously graduated from the Conservatory majoring in Opera and Symphony conducting. The musician made his conductor's debut in 1984 with the Philharmonic’s Academic Symphony Orchestra. In the same year he became a conductor-assistant of the orchestra.

Vladimir Altshuler was appointed conductor of the Academic Symphony Orchestra in 1994. Artist’s repertoire attracts listeners with its variety: from Bach's clavier concertos to Shostakovich's cinematic soundtracks, from J. Strauss’s waltzes and to works by Penderecki and Lutosławski. He was the first in Russia to perform all of Bruckner's symphonies, Handel's Oratorio Saul, Monteverdi's Opera Orpheus (authentic version). 20^th century music induces conductor’s keen interest. Tippet’s Oratio "Child of our time" and the music drama “Bernauerin” by Orff was performed for the first time in Saint-Petersburg thanks to Vladimir Altshuler. He introduced the premieres of works by Ustvolskaya, Y. Falik, V. Basner and other Russian and foreign authors.

The conductor has toured abroad extensively: Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Turkey, Croatia, Macedonia, the Baltic States and the Korea Republic.

An active concert musician, Vladimir Altshuler pays considerable attention to teaching. He is a Professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and the St. Petersburg Institute of Culture. In addition, the artist is engaged in scientific research, Vladimir Altshuler’s thesis focuses on history, theory and practice of conducting.

Collaborated work with the Academic Symphony Orchestra still occupies the main place in the musician’s schedule, along with the joint St. Petersburg performances, and tours. In October 2018, under the direction of Altshuler, Academic Symphony Orchestra concerts were held in five cities of Great Britain – Basingstock, Crawley, Canterbury, Norwich and Guildford.

The media has the highest regard for the collaborated work of the artist and the orchestra: "the enchanting glitter of the pipes, the splendor of the strings induced the musical, rhythmically perfected “fireworks”, which was precisely and subtly conducted by the elegant Vladimir Altschuler. The performance was met with a storm of applause and exclamations: “Bravo!”

The events of the 2019/2020 season feature: R. Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra” symphonic poem, Brahms’ First Symphony, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. The conductor will do the New Year and Christmas concerts at the Philharmonia, which will feature music by the Strauss family, he will present the opening concert of the “St. Petersburg Musical Spring” Festival and the world premiere of Slonimsky's Symphony No. 23. In February 2020, he will conduct a concert as part of the "Yellow stars" project, which received its title from the largest symphonic work of Schwartz, the premiere of which was presented by Vladimir Altschuler in 2000.