Yuri Wichniakov

Yuri Wichniakov is a Russian oktavist singer known for his powerful lower register, and resonant low notes. He is the featured bass on the CD Basso Profondo From Old Russia. Wichniakov performs notes as low as G1. Several of the choir directors he has performed with have compared the timbre of his voice to that of an organ.
Together with Vladimir Miller and the late Vladimir Pasyoukov, Wichniakov is widely regarded as one of the most prominent basso profondo singers in the world. He has chanted with Vladimir Miller in several concerts dating back to 2005, and has also performed alongside Pasyukov.

Wichniakov has performed the All-Night Vigil of Rachmaninoff (Ныне Отпущаеши) with the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir in 1986. He has performed most frequently with the Orthodox Male Singers choir, which is known worldwide for their musical repertoire which highlights the profondo singer.. He has most recently performed with the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir. He was hired specifically for the difficult B♭1 required in no. 5 of the All-Night Vigil.

Wichniakov is an archetypal basso profondo. He stands over 195 cm tall, and weighs over 90 kilos. He is rarely seen without a thick beard, and performs in an all black cassock. His career has spanned 30 years.