During the Soviet era, however, political reasons made it impossible for Ms. Lev to pursue an international concert career.

Lara Lev has earned a reputation as a fine virtuoso, but she also has some even more rare traits. She has always had a special interest in seldom-heard, unjustly neglected masterpieces, as well as in new music. Already while in the USSR, she took an active part in the "Sojuz Kompositorov" society for contemporary music, giving first performances of several new works.

Since becoming a Finnish Citizen in the 1990's, she increasingly performs in Finland with several symphony and chamber orchestras. In her recitals, besides performing large cycles of the standard repertoire such as the complete Beethoven sonatas, Ms. Lev has continued to pursue her innovative repertory policy also while working in Finland. Together with Pianist Matti Raekallio she has done, for instance, several recordings for the Finnish Broadcasting Company, featuring rarely played major works for violin and piano.

Ms. Lev has been active in pedagogical work all through her career. She has held teaching positions in Moscow, Odessa, and Finland, as well as given master classes both in her home country and abroad. Ms. Lev has been active in pedagogical work throughout her career.