Nikita Ruzhavinsky is a distinguished young cellist and a standout talent of his generation. He won the Grand Prix at the Bach International Music Competition and has received numerous special prizes at classical music festivals and academies across Europe. Celebrated for his expressive artistry and technical mastery, he captivates audiences as a soloist and chamber musician alike.
Nikita has performed with prominent orchestras, including the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra, Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Moscow Conservatory, and the Orchestra of Pavel Slobodkin Center. He regularly appears at prestigious European festivals, delivering performances praised for their depth, emotional nuance, and technical brilliance.
He studied under leading musicians including Natalia Shakhovskaya, Josef Podhoransky, and Jérôme Pernoo, and has enriched his artistry through masterclasses with acclaimed cellists such as Martti Roussi, Michaela Fukačová, Jing Zhao, Stefan Popov, Imke David, Boris Andrianov, and Sergei Istomin. Through these experiences, he developed a versatile approach to repertoire spanning from early Baroque to contemporary works.
Equally dedicated to chamber music, he frequently collaborates with fellow musicians in ensembles and quartets, excelling in historically informed Baroque performance as well as contemporary repertoire. In the field of historically informed performance, he has worked with renowned conductors and interpreters such as Amandine Beyer, Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Martina Pastuszka, Christopher Moulds, Stefano Montanari, Federico Maria Sardelli, Andreas Mustonen, Leonardo García Alarcón, and Laurence Cummings. In 2025, he was selected to participate in the Ambronay Academy under the direction of Amandine Beyer and performed as a soloist at the prestigious Festival de Saintes.
His musical journey has taken him across Europe, from Germany, Austria, and Russia to Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic, engaging audiences with his refined artistry and compelling stage presence.
Nikita’s performances are marked by profound musical insight, expressive depth, and a distinctive individual flair. His artistic versatility allows him to navigate the full spectrum of cello repertoire with equal professionalism and interpretive sensitivity, making each performance a compelling and memorable experience.
“Nikita Ruzhavinsky plays every note with due care, concentration and great musical feeling … perfectly expressing the romantic character of the piece while handling technically demanding virtuoso passages with ease. His playing is full of emotion, perfectly capturing the mood of the music.”
— Filip Rabenseifner, klasikaplus.cz
“Would you care for a little more Vivaldi? With the greatest pleasure! Especially when a soloist of such caliber as Nikita Ruzhavinskii … takes on the Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor with such relish.” — Alain Cochard, concertclassic.com
