Airat Ichmouratov
Volga Tatar born Russian/Canadian composer, conductor and klezmer clarinettist Airat Ichmouratov was born on 28 June 1973 in Kazan and grew up there, studying clarinet. He worked as associate clarinet with Tatarstan's Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Kazan State Symphony Orchestra and began to tour Europe.
He went to Canada in 1997 to study and moved there permanently the following year, to Montreal, studying with Andre Moisan at the University of Montreal.
His compositions have been performed by a wide range of ensembles and individuals in different countries, and he has been resident composer with several organisations.
With cellist Luo Di and pianist Evgenia Kirjner he founded the prize-winning Muczynski Trio.
He studied conducting in Montreal and became assistant conductor to Bernard Labadie at the chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy in Quebec. Later he became resident conductor of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra and also conducted the Tatarstan Academic State Opera and Ballet Theatre.
He joined the Klezmer group Kleztory in 2000, playing clarinet, composing and arranging.