Alexander (Sasha) Zhiroff, born on April 13, 1951, in Ishim, Soviet Union, is a renowned Russian cellist known for his versatile performances. His career has spanned various genres, from classical to new age, showcasing his mastery of the cello. Zhiroff’s musical journey has led him to perform as a soloist with orchestras across the United States, Russia, and Cuba, and to give recitals in major concert halls worldwide.
His recordings as a soloist for BBC Scotland, Gostelradio (Russia), and EGREM (Cuba) have been acclaimed for their depth and artistry. In 1996, Zhiroff joined Yanni’s orchestra, contributing to the global success of the Tribute concert in 1997, held at the Taj Mahal and the Forbidden City. He continued to tour with Yanni during the Tribute 1998 World Tour, the 2003 and 2004 Ethnicity world tours, as well as the 2005 Yanni Live! The Concert Event and Yanni Voices tours.
Zhiroff’s collaboration with Sarah Stanton on the album “A Glimpse of Heaven” further highlights his musical versatility. In 2005, he became a part of Classical Edge, a genre-crossing group whose debut CD “Edge” features a fusion of Argentinian Tango and American Jazz.
Zhiroff’s dedication to music extends beyond performance. He graduated with honors from the Gnessian Institute in Moscow with a doctorate and was invited to remain on staff as their primary musical instructor. His teaching career took him to Cuba as Professor of Cello at the Superior Institute of Arts, and in 1985 he returned to Russia as the Chairman of the String Department for the Sergei Rachmaninoff Conservatory of Music.
Zhiroff’s influence as a teacher is profound, with students who have won prominent national cello competitions.