Viktoria Mullova

Mullova won first prize at the Sibelius Competition in Helsinki in 1980 and first prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1982. Both were among the most prestigious violin competitions in the world during the Cold War era, and her victories brought her international attention while still a Soviet citizen.

In 1983, Mullova defected from the Soviet Union while on tour in Finland, leaving her Soviet minders behind. Her defection was a major international news story during a tense period of Cold War relations and led to her establishing a career in the West.

Mullova has recorded for major labels including Philips and Onyx, with acclaimed interpretations of the Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms violin concertos. In her later career she has also gained recognition for performances on period instruments with ensembles such as Il Giardino Armonico.

Mullova has performed on fine instruments by Stradivari and other master makers during her international career. She has been associated with instruments on loan from collections such as the Nippon Music Foundation, which lends rare Cremonese instruments to prominent soloists.