Classical piano music performed by Russian pianists

14 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Traditional, CLASSICAL: Contemporary



Details:
According to Valerie Gergiev, the main conductor and the director of Mariinski Theatre (Russia, Saint Petersburg), the power of nation consists of many factors. High level of art and cultural development is one of them. On the 15th of September, 2005 V.Gergiev was in Rotterdam at the festival named after him. He emphasized that prestige of the country depended also on the level of national culture. No doubt, this level rises even more when two countries collaborate fruitfully. Exchanging of musicians is an example of such collaboration.

George Fomitchev is a pianist from Russia. He has shown interest in music since an early age. Beginning in 1994, he attended a six year program at a musical school where he learned to play the piano. Music is George's hobby, though while at school he dreamt of becoming a professional pianist. Unfortunately, this is not practical in the present day Russia. Nevertheless, George's life is full of music. Whenever he sees a piano, he feels drawn to the white and black keys. George is eager to share his talent and heart with people. He performs for an audience as much as possible.

During his fourth trip to Holland in July, 2005 he gave an interview to his eager listeners.

"George, why did you decide to give some concerts exactly in Holland? What connects you with this country?"

"My parents got acquainted with organizers of European World of Bluegrass. In 2000 they brought there a group from Smolensk that won silver prize in 2001. Since that time they go to the EWOB festival every year. I wanted to join them just like a tourist. So I did in 2002. I found out that the Dutch like music and I played in a restaurant of Leiden, De Burch. I liked that and decided to come over again and play wherever there is a piano." You can imagine what I was thinking about on my way to the Netherlands. Wow, I'll play for this people! or Will they like me? Though at the moment of arrival I could not but think: Oh, I am so tired after 2 or 3 days of traveling in a small bus. I want to see my friends, take a shower, walk, and relax."

"George, how do you deal with extraordinary situations? Have you ever had any?"

"Oh, yeah! We were driving from Hengelo to Velp and on the way there were were stopped by the road police three times. I suspect, someone had complained of our low speed. Our bus, made in 1988, couldn't run so quickly so we drove at speed of 80-90 km/h. I was afraid to be late for the performance, because we lost some ten or fifteen minutes arguing with the policemen. You can imagine what it was it like, 'cause my father - the driver - does not speak English!

"It seems the aim of your tour is to introduce your performing art to many new people. Do you plan to come over once again with a new program?"

"Actually, when I realized I had some performing abilities I felt I wanted to play for people. I try to widen my program and next year I'd like to bring more big masterpieces of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, and also I want to play I. S. Bach French overture which is awesome! I do my best to impress my listeners with my performance. What is important to me that people enjoy classical compositions. I believe, it is rather hard - as it was for me when I was a young boy - to learn listening to classical music.

"So will you play anything new for your foreign friends next year?"

"My repertoire is always changing. Next year I suppose to play more of Schubert instead of Beethoven. Beethoven's music is rather heavy and complicated, so to say. It doesn't bring bright feelings, so that's why I feel I should play creations of other composers. I am thinking over a new program consisting of Chopin's masterpieces or Rachmaninoff's; or both of them."

Will George Fomitchev come to Holland once more? He knows that he will!