Igor Raykhelson
American jazz musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Igor Raykhelson (Russian: Игорь Райхельсон; born 24 April 1961 in Leningrad) is a Russian born American classical and jazz pianist and composer. He studied classical and jazz piano as a teenager at Leningrad Conservatory from 1976 then in 1979 his family moved to New York City where Igor continued his education at New York University under Alexander Edelman.[1][2] His Jazz Suite and works for viola performed by Yuri Bashmet were well received by Gramophone Magazine in 2007.[3]
Works, editions and recordings
- Igor Raykhelson: Jazz Suite and other works. Little Symphony for Strings in G minor. Reflections for Violin, Viola and Strings. Adagio for Viola and Strings. Jazz Suite for Viola, Saxophone and Orchestra. Elena Revich, violin, Igor Butman, saxophone. Igor Raykhelson, piano. Yuri Golubev, double-bass. Eduard Zizak, drums. Moscow-Soloists, ensemble. Yuri Bashmet, viola, conductor.
- Igor Raykhelson: Violin Concerto in C minor. Viola Concerto in A minor. Yuri Bashmet, viola, Nikolay Sachenko, violin. Novaya Rossiya Orchestra, orchestra Claudio Vandelli, conductor Alexander Sladkovsky, conductor
Legal issues
Raykhelson is chairman of the Switzerland-based titanium company Interlink Metals and Chemicals, which has been involved in a commercial dispute with the Russian titanium producer PJSC VSMPO-AVISMA.[4][5]
In March 2026, media reported that Russian authorities had accused Raykhelson of involvement in an alleged fraud scheme connected to the supply of titanium to VSMPO-AVISMA, claiming he had colluded to overcharge the company by millions of dollars.[6][7] Raykhelson denied the allegations, describing the case as a politically motivated "shakedown" tied to the commercial dispute and saying the titanium he supplied was western-grade scrap intended for Western products rather than the Russian military.[6]
In early 2026, the Cantonal Court of Vaud in Switzerland dismissed an appeal by Interlink and upheld the cancellation of an asset freeze it had sought against VSMPO-AVISMA, ordering Interlink to pay costs.[5] Raykhelson also filed an application in a New York court seeking evidence from financial institutions to defend himself against the Russian charges.[7]