He is artistic director and principal conductor at St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and often goes on international tours and makes recordings with them. Since 2009, he is also music director at Teatro Reggio de Parma and conductor emeritus of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Aged 13 he entered the School for Talented Children in Leningrad to then complete his studies at Leningrad Conservatoire. He made his debut with St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra in 1967 being invited to join the orchestra as assistant conductor with Yevgeny Mravinsky. In 1968 he was appointed principal conductor of Leningrad Symphony Orchestra and in 1976 music director of Kirov Opera and Ballet.
He has performed with the most relevant European orchestras including Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienne Philharmonic Orchestra, Dresden Staatkapelle, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Accademia de Santa Cecilia in Rome and Scala in Milan. After his debut with the Royal Philharmonic in 1977, he was designated Principal Guest Conductor and in 1992, Principal Conductor, a position he held until 1998. From 1992 to 1997 he was also Principal Guest Conductor at Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, and from 1998 to 2008, Principal Guest Conductor at Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. He was Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director from 2000 to 2006.
In 2003, President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Presidential Medal. In 2003 and 2007, he won the award “Abbiati for Best Conductor” and in 2003, was chosen Conductor of the Year in Italy. He is also Honorary Academician of Santa Cecilia. In 2012 he was distinguished by the Italian government with the “Ordine della Stella d’Italia” as “Commendatore”.