The British-Russian violist, conductor and pedagogue Alexander Gordon Zemtsov (*1981) is an internationally established musician with a multifaceted career as Principal Violist, soloist, conductor and professor.

At the age of 23, he was appointed Principal Viola of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the leading symphony orchestras in Europe. He held this position for ten years, performing regularly on major international stages and establishing himself as one of the prominent orchestral violists of his generation. In 2012, he left the orchestra to focus fully on his expanding solo, conducting and teaching career.

As an orchestral leader, Zemtsov gained extensive experience in the core symphonic repertoire and collaborated with leading conductors of the international music scene, developing a strong artistic profile shaped by both orchestral discipline and chamber music sensitivity.

Alongside his performing career, he has built a significant international teaching activity. He is Professor of Viola at the Haute École de Musique (HEMU) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln (Cologne University of Music and Dance) in Germany. His pedagogical work focuses on advanced viola technique, sound development, and the preparation of students for professional orchestral and solo careers.

Zemtsov’s students are regularly active in leading European orchestras and international ensembles, reflecting his strong influence as a pedagogue within the contemporary viola school.

As a conductor, he has developed an international career with appearances with orchestras across Europe and Asia, combining his deep orchestral experience with a growing symphonic and operatic repertoire.

Alexander Zemtsov’s artistic profile is defined by the combination of orchestral leadership, solo performance, conducting, and teaching at the highest level, positioning him as one of the versatile musician-educators of his generation.