Yuri Tkanov is the leading Russian viola-player, promoting the traditions of Russian viola school, established by famous musicians V. Borissovsky, R. Barshay, F. Druzhinin, Yu. Bashmet.

Yuri Tkanov graduated the Moscow Conservatoire and post graduate course in 1988 - the class of professor F.S. Drizhinin. He won the 1989 international competition in Caltanisetta, Italy. Yuri Tkanov is actively and regularly performing on national and international stages of Russia, CIS countries, Italy, France, Greece, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, USA, Korea, Taiwan and many others.

Yuri Tkanov is the soloist of The Moscow State Academic Philharmonics, professor of The Moscow State Conservatoire named after P.I. Tchaikovsky. He is conducting the master classes abroad. In January 1998 Yuri Tkanov was awarded with the title of Honoured Artist of Russian Federation by the personal B. Yeltsin's presidential decree.

Yuri Tkanov fruitfully collaborates with eminent Russian composers - V. Artiomov, V. Ryabov, T. Khrennicov, A. Schnittke, A. Eshpai. The musician's repertoire includes practically the entire classics of viola creations. At the same time Yuri appears as an author of series of transcriptions for viola - adopted violin and cello sonatas by Corelli, Rachmaninoff, Frank, Khrennikov, Schnittke (chamber symphony for viola and orchestra). Tkanov adapted for viola many other compositions of divers epochs and styles: Vytaly's Ciaccona, Ravel's Bolero - altogether broaden the vivid prospects of viola. Critics remarks the magnificent sound of a fabulous beauty and vigor of Tkanov's instrument playing, the phenomenal mastery allied with a bright emotionality and artful interpretation of music.

Yuri Tkanov is the only viola-player to hold a subscription on seasonal viola concerts of Moscow Philharmonics.