Timofei Dokshizer was born in 1921 in the town of Nezhin (Chernigov region, Ukraine) to the family of musicians. He received initial education in Moscow musical college named after Glazunov in the class of I.A. Vasilevsky. He studied farther the art of playing trumpet at the Central music school in the class of professor Mikhail I. Tabakov. Under supervision of the very same professor Tabakov Dokshizer had graduated from the State “Gnessins’“ Music and Pedagogy Institute in 1950. In 1957 Mr. Dokshizer has completed at the Moscow State Conservatory the symphony orchestra conducting course (class of professor L. Ginzburg).
For the first time the Timofei Dokshizer name was made known to the public just before the World War II, when the trumpet player being only 19 years of age won the All-Union (Soviet Union of course) brass instruments’ players competition. That was followed by Mr. Dokshizer brilliant victory in International Competition in Prague (1947). From that very time young musician started his performing activities. Every year due to the artist creative mind his playing culture becomes profoundly deeper and his audience -- much larger. At that time he frequently toured within USSR and abroad. The media did not leave the attractive feature of his trumpet playing unnoticed. Critics unanimously wrote about his timber variety, beautiful tone, the mellow flexible phrasing, and the filigree technique. Such mostly enthusiastic reactions from the journalists were caused by emotionally exultant mood of performing, original scenic temperament combined with the artist delicate taste and clever understanding of composer’s intentions.
Enjoying his popularity Dokshizer worked a lot not only as a concert performer but as well as an orchestra musician in the famous Bolshoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Moscow. Here he played practically all possible most known trumpet and cornet solos. His trumpet clear and genuine voice was heard in Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake“, Prokofiev’s “War and Peace“ and “Romeo and Juliet“, Khachaturyan highly emotional “Spartacus“, in “Summer night Dream“ by Britten and many others. In his concert’s repertoire Dokshizer always had smartly planned combination of both “old school“ and contemporary composers. Literally speaking almost all modern trumpet music was promoted and sometime carefuly arranged and largely enriched by Timofei Dokshizer creativity and thoughtful approach. Many modern pieces for trumpet were performed for a first time by him, many -- written especially for him by authors and that as well helped to laid the foundation for the tradition of interpretation. He personally took his part in creating of music -- rendering his kind assistance, expertise and advice to young composers. Many composers were inspired by his performance appearance to dedicate their pieces, sonatas and conerts to this musician. Among others we can name B. Trotsiuk, M. Wainberg, A. Krasotov, and some other authors. Many music works Dokshizer received from composers from different countries.
The performing art of Timofei Dokshizer is still well remembered worldwide. And that -- due his tours. The crowd in more than thirty countries had a chance to applaud him at his wonderful solo concerts. Dokshizer, as the expert and teacher participated in different performers’ seminars, in different international contests, competitions and festivals. Everywhere where he had performed the audience was stunned and admired with the performance of the great Russian trumpeter and his concerts were always the sold-out shows.
On the afternoon of March 16, 2005 Timofei Alexandrovich Dokshizer passed away.