Wolfgang David, Violinist - Friends

Roman Kofman

Roman Kofman was born in Kiev. After being awarded his violin diploma, he studied the Nikolai Malko tradition of conducting with Mikhail Kannerstein. He soon became one of the most respected conductors in the former socialist countries. A personal travel restriction between 1973 and 1989 prevented him from performing in the West.

In 1978 he was appointed professor in his home town of Kiev – at the Kiev Tschaikowsky Conservatory. After his first tour of the West with the State Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Roman Kofman was immediately invited by leading western orchestras as a conductor for concerts and CD productions.

The music of the 20th century plays a major role in his repertoire. Many works by contemporary composers have been personally dedicated to him and premiered by him. In the summer of 2003, Roman Kofman was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine, the Ukraine’s highest artistic honor.

Since the 2003/2004 season, Roman Kofman has been chief conductor of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and the Bonn Opera.