Maestro Rostropovich distinguished Shapovalov among all Russian cellists and many times invited him to perform together with different orchestras in Russia, Great Britain and USA, as well as to participate in Rostropovich’s festivals in Azerbaijan and France. Shapovalov was the only cellist who performed in the concert series celebrating Rostropovich’s 75th birthday in New York and London along with outstanding musicians – M.Vengerov, E.Kissin, M.Argerich, Yu.Bashmet.

In 2003 was released a CD “Cello Masterpieces”, recorded on a famous Russian Label “Melodiya”. In 2005 Shapovalov was awarded a prize of the “Russian Performing Arts” Foundation.

In addition, Shapovalov collaborates with Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the chamber orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”, the chamber orchestra “Moscow Soloists”, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the St-Petersburg Philharmony, the Bayerische Rundfunk Orchestra, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and chamber orchestra, and the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra.

He works under such distinguished conductors as Lorin Maazel, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Vladimir Fedosseev, Yutaka Sado, Yoel Levi, Andrew Litton, Vladimir Spivakov, Yuri Bashmet, Valery Poliansky, Thomas Sanderling, Boguslaw Dawidow, Julian Gallant, Marc Kissoczy, and Jonathan Brett. His music partners are Rodion Schedrin, Vadim Repin, Nikolai Znaider, Graf Mourja, Olga Kern, Alexander Ljubimov, John Nakamatsu, Alexander Ghindin, Andreas Mustonen.

Shapovalov’s performances are held in the world’s major concert halls – Bolshoi Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Munchner Philharmonic, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Center in London, UNESCO Conference Hall in Paris, Vaduzerzaal in Liechtenstein, Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Beijing Concert Hall in Beijing, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and Suntory Hall in Tokyo.

Shapovalov has appeared in several radio and televised concert broadcasts recorded by Russian State TV/Radio company “Culture”, Bayerische Rundfunk, Radio France, NY Public Radio, Bayern Klassik, Das Erste ARD, Mezzo, NHK. In 2004-06 he studied conducting at the Moscow State Conservatory and since 2005 he started his career as a conductor performing with different Russian orchestras.

Shapovalov is an active participant of different contemporary music projects. Many works by modern composers are dedicated to the musician. In 2006 Denis initiated a competition for young Russian composers “CelloVek”, which was supported by several organizations and was held at the Moscow State Conservatory. In December 2007 was released a CD with the pieces – competition winners.