musicmakers-online.com: personal presentation

Vladimir Shirkin was born in 1954 in Oddessa. In 1972 he finished Special Musical School of Stoljarsky in class for the contrabass.
In 1980 he received the diploma of the Moscow State Conservatory of P.I.Tchajkovsky.
In 1980-1981 - the winner of the Ukrainian Competition of contrabass players and the participant of the "All-Union" competition. From 1980 till 1986 - the soloist of the Kiev Chamber Orchestra and works in the State Symphony Orchestra as well as the Kiev Philarmonic Society. During the same period of time, actively cooperates with chamber Trio of - A.Melnikov, S.Novikov and S.Ponomaryov. Takes part in Festivals of chamber music under R.Kofman's management.
With 1986 lives 1990 and works in Moscow . Is the soloist of ensemble " Collegium muzikum " under S.Bezrodnaya's management. Borrows posts of the priciple the contabasses in the Small Symphony Orchestra under V.Sinajsky and is being invited by various Moscow symphonic and chamber collectives.
In 1990 moves with his family to The Netherlands where he still is on the present moment. In The Netherlands he works in the " Holland Symfonia " (Amsterdam). Besides the basic work, is engaged in solo and chamber performing activity's. In the catalogue " Het Vademecum " (Kamermuziek-klassiek) for 2002/2003, where he is marked as the oustanding chamber musician. Besides classical music, big attention is given to experiments in the field of free-jazz on the contrabass, keyboard and percussion instruments. Is engaged in composition.