Yuri Silantev

Born in the city of Yekaterinodar (now Krasnodar). In 1940 he graduated from the violin class of the Moscow Conservatory. From 1940: conductor of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the NKVD of the USSR; in 1947-53 concertmaster and assistant conductor of the orchestra of the All-Union Radio Committee, and in 1953-58 of the Moscow Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. From 1958: artistic director and principal conductor of the Estrada Symphony Orchestra of All-Union Radio and Central Television. He was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR in 1962, People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1968, and Honored Artist of the USSR in 1975. He died in Moscow.