Dear Mr Temirkanov,

Please accept my greetings and best wishes on your 75th birthday. A leading Russian orchestra conductor, you have won international acclaim, performing at some of the world’s best music venues. Your music interpretations all demonstrate a profound understanding of the message of the composer and are deeply emotional as well as technically impeccable.

You have stood at the helm of the St Petersburg Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Russia’s oldest symphony, for 25 years. Over that time, you have built on the orchestra’s rich traditions. Thanks to your talent and professionalism, it boasts a highly distinctive sound, and the variety of its concert programmes meets the needs of the most discerning audiences.

I wish you artistic longevity and the best of luck. Please accept greetings from my spouse as well.

Dmitry Medvedev