The ex-artistic director of the Donetsk Philharmonic has died: due to shelling, farewell will not be widespread

In the capital of the DPR there is an analogue of the Vagankovsky or Novodevichy cemetery

On December 4, the Donetsk State Academic Philharmonic Society announced with deep regret the passing of its former artistic director, the outstanding violinist and teacher Oleg Bakhtiozin (1941-2023). “The maestro devoted his entire life to music and gave more than half a century to the Donetsk Philharmonic,” the official statement emphasizes.

“Oleg Naumovich played a key role in the fate of the Philharmonic, individual musicians, and personally in my fate,” General Director of the Donetsk Philharmonic Alexander Paretsky told MK. “It was he who hired me 15 years ago and conducted an audition. Oleg Bakhtiozin, although he did not teach at a university, became a real teacher for many musicians during his more than half a century of service. Key music festivals such as “Piano Forum”, “Crystal Strings”, “Prokofiev Spring” appeared in Donbass with the light hand of the master.

– Alexander Alexandrovich, how are they going to perpetuate the memory of Bakhtiozin in the DPR? When the St. Petersburg Philharmonic said goodbye to conductor Yuri Temirkanov, a festival named after him immediately appeared.

– It’s a pity that for now we cannot hold another such festival in Donetsk and dedicate it to the memory of Oleg Naumovich. The activities of this talented person, his contribution to the development of the musical art of our region will certainly be reflected in the exhibition of the Donetsk Philharmonic Museum and in commemorative publications.

– Is it possible to say goodbye to the maestro today? Where will he be buried? Is there an analogue of the Vagankovsky or Novodevichy cemetery in Donetsk, where outstanding artists find their final refuge?

– In the context of ongoing shelling, farewells will not be widespread. The time and place have not yet been determined. But it is known that the maestro will be buried at the Shcheglovsky cemetery in Donetsk, where his wife Lyudmila, who also served in our Philharmonic for many years, rests.

Let us recall that during his lifetime Oleg Bakhtiozin was awarded the title “Honored Artist of Ukraine”, awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree, and a Certificate of Honor from the Head of the DPR.