Education

Igor Petrushevski was born in Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia. He studied with Dusko Kostic in Belgrade until the age of fourteen. During this period he won the most competitions in the former Yugoslavia included Sarajevo, Belgrade, Pristina etc. He played concerts in Italy and Serbia to critical acclaim. He performed on live television broadcast by RTS. At the age of fourteen he continued his studies at the High School pre – Moscow Conservatory with the legendary teacher Maya Glezarova from whose class came violinists such as Mikhail Kopelman (former leader of the Borodin Quartet), Vladimir Spivakov, Dmitry Sitkovetsky etc. As one of the top students of the High School pre – Moscow Conservatory, Prof. Petrushevski performed in major concerts halls in Moscow. During this period he also won the Ohrid Summer Festival competition. He finished his studies at the Moscow Conservatory in 1993.  

Prof. Petrushevski spent eleven years in Moscow, with some of the best teachers of the Soviet School of violin playing and this has given him a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the Russian Violin School. The importance of freedom, movement, use of bow arm’s weight, a free and active left hand, correct posture and many other aspects of physical comfort, play a crucial role in his teaching methodology today. Development of the need for a deep and free sound, understanding of structure, colours, musical taste, a unique sound in connection to ones individuality and intellectual choice of language are some of the crucial aspects of the education that he passes on to his students from the years that he spent in Moscow.  

He continued his studies with Prof. Yfrah Neaman at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. The knowledge that he gained about the authenticity of the writings of major composers is invaluable in his teaching methodology today. During this period he performed many concerts throughout the UK. The influence of the Baroque period instrument movement also had a profound affect on forming his musical opinion especially with regards to ornamentation, form and means of expression when performing music of Barque era. Although he doesn’t teach the Baroque style of performance, elements of this style play a part in his understanding and teaching methodology.

The diversity of the different schoolings that Igor Petrushevski was fortunate to be exposed to, made a unique technical, emotional and intellectual opinion that is part of the knowledge that he tries to pass on today to his students. It is perhaps a combination of these aspects that make his education and teaching methodology so interesting and unique.