Born in the Caucasus city of Nalchik, Yuri Temirkanov started his musical studies at age 9. At 13 he attended the Leningrad school for talented youths, where he continued studies in violin and viola. At the conclusion of his studies at the Leningrad Conservatory where he completed his formation in violin he began his studies in conducting, graduating in 1965.
After winning the 2nd National Contest of Conductors in 1966 Temirkanov, almost overnight, would be considered one of the most in demand conductors of his generation. At the invitation of Kirill Kondrashin he went on tour abroad, with the legendary violinist David Oistrakh and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.
In early 1967 Temirkanov debuted with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic orchestra and was subsequently offered the position of assistant conductor to Evgeny Mravinsky. In 1976 Temirkanov became the artistic director and chief conductor of Kirov (Mariinsky) Theatre. Here he created productions of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Queen of Spades that are remembered as productions of distinction.
In 1978 Temirkanov started his collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and in 1992 became its chief conductor. From 1992 until 1997 he acted as principal guest conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra.
For 6 seasons (in 2000 -2006) Temirkanov was the chief conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and from 2007-2008 he was the principal guest conductor of the Bolshoj Theatre.
Yuri Temirkanov frequently appears with the great orchestras of Europe, Asia, and the United States. He had the privilege to be the first Russian artist to be invited to the United States after the normalization of relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Republic at the end of the Afghanistan war in 1988. He has directed the principle orchestras in Europe including the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic, the Dresden Staatskapelle, The London Philharmonic, the London Symphony, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Orchestra di Santa Cecilia, and La Scala. A regular guest in the United States, he has directed the orchestras of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
His numerous recordings include collaborations with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the Denmark National Symphony Orchestra DR and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he recorded the entire ballet works of Stravinsky and the complete catalog of Tchaikovsky symphonies.
For 10 days during the Christmas season, Temirkanov hosts in St. Petersburg the annual Winter Festival, inviting the most sought after soloists from around the world.
In Russia Maestro Yuri Temirkanov has received many important awards: in 2003 president Vladimir Putin conferred upon him the presidential medal, he was awarded with the Italian Premio Franco Abbiati, as best conductor for the 2006/2007 Season and recently he become an Honorary Academic of Santa Cecilia.