Friedrich Robertowitsch Lips, a Russian accordionist of German descent, was born on November 18, 1948, in Jemanschelinsk. He graduated from the Mikhail Glinka Music School in Magnitogorsk in 1967 and later studied at the Gnessin State Institute of Musical Education in Moscow, graduating in 1972. Lips' breakthrough came in 1969 when he won first prize at the International Music Competitions in Klingenthal. He then signed with Goskonzert, beginning his career as a concert virtuoso and chamber musician. Lips has performed internationally. His work was recognized with the Diapason d’or in 1991 for the album Sieben Worte. He has also authored several books on accordion playing. He was appointed as a professor at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in 1980, and in 2004 he became an Honorary Professor at the London Academy of Music. Lips was honored with the title "People's Artist of Russia" in 1994.
