David Geringas, like his teacher
Mstislav Rostropovich, earned a reputation as one of the finest cellists of his generation and then took up conducting, where he has also achieved acclaim. As a cellist
Geringas is known for his advocacy of music by Russian and former Soviet composers. Many have written works specifically for him, including
Gubaidulina (whose Cello Concerto
Geringas recorded),
Erkki-Sven Tüür,
Peteris Vasks, and Estonian composer
Lepo Sumera.
Geringas also plays many standards by
Boccherini,
Haydn,
Beethoven,
Schubert,
Mendelssohn,
Brahms,
Rachmaninov,
Prokofiev,
Shostakovich, and others. As a soloist
Geringas has appeared with many of the major orchestras, including the Berlin and London philharmonics, the Philadelphia and Detroit symphony orchestras, and the
NHK Symphony Orchestra. He also regularly appears in chamber music concerts with his wife, pianist
Tatiana Geringas. As a conductor
Geringas has been active in the new century, leading such ensembles as the
Iceland Symphony,
Danish NSO,
Tokyo Philharmonic, as well as orchestras in Latvia, the Netherlands, and Mexico.
Geringas has made 50 or so recordings, available on a range of labels, including BIS, Chandos, Delos, DG, Erato, Philips, RCA, and Teldec.
David Geringas was born in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 29, 1946. He studied cello at the Moscow Conservatory from 1963-1973, eight years of that period spent under the guidance of
Rostropovich.
Geringas won first prize in the 1970
Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.
In 1975
Geringas relocated to West Germany. Among his earliest recordings was the 1979 Eurodisc LP of the
Haydn Second Cello Concerto and the
Prokofiev Concertino.
Geringas steadily built his career in the 1980s, appearing with major orchestras and in concerts with his wife. In 1989 he was awarded the Grand Prix du disque of the
Charles Cros Academy for his acclaimed recording of the 12
Boccherini concertos, on the Claves label. Additional awards would follow, including the 1994 Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, for his recording of the cello concertos of
Hans Pfitzner, on CPO.
From 2000,
Geringas has been professor of cello at the Berlin-based
Hanns Eisler Academy of Music. His conducting activity turned busier after 2000:
Geringas has served as chief guest conductor of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra in Japan since 2005. He debuted on the podium with numerous orchestras from around that time, including the
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra (2007).
Geringas' later recordings include the 2010 Sony Classical CD of
Chopin works for cello and piano, with pianist
Ian Fountain.