He started violin lesson at age 4, first with his father, then with David Bertie at the Central School in Kiev (Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union).
In 1939, he enrolled in the Moscow Central Music School, class of Abram Yampolsky, whose students included Leonid Kogan, Igor Besrodny and Rotislav Dubinsky.
[citation needed] In 1947, he shared First Prize at the Prague Festival with Leonid Kogan and Igor Besrodny.
[citation needed] He married pianist Bella Davidovich in 1950 and their son Dmitry Sitkovetsky (who became an eminent violinist and conductor) was born four years later.
He had a broad, firm, focused tone in all registers; flawless intonation; a rapid, even trill; a swift, perfectly controlled staccato; strong, immaculate harmonics; an even, clear sautillé..."[5][full citation needed]