Alexander Romanovsky (pianist)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Romanovsky is a Ukrainian classical pianist.
Romanovsky appeared at age 11 with the Moscow Virtuosi under Vladimir Spivakov
. His piano teacher was Leonid Margaruis, a pupil of Regina Horowitz, who was the sister of pianist Vladimir Horowitz
. When Romanovsky was 13, Margaruis moved to Italy to teach at the Accademica pianistica di Imola; Romanovsky followed him there to continue his studies with him. Romanovsky graduated from the Accdemica in 2007 with a master's degree. He also studied under pianist Dimitri Alexeev
at the Royal Academy of Music
in London, England, graduating with an "Artist's Diploma" upon completing studies there in 2008.
In 1999, at the age of 15, Romanovsky was awarded the title of Honorary Academician by the Accademica Filarmonica di Bologna following a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach
's Goldberg Variations
; before this, only Gioachino Rossini and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
had been accorded such an honor at that age. In 2001, at the age of 17, he won first prize in the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition
in Bolzano, Italy. In 2007 he was invited to perform a Mozart concerto for Pope Benedict XVI
, and signed a recording contract with Decca Records
. His first CD, devoted to works of Johannes Brahms
and Robert Schumann
, was produced in 2007. A second CD, devoted to the works of Sergei Rachmaninoff
, followed in 2009. Future projects include recording the piano concertos of Alexander Glazunov
with the Russian National Orchestra
conducted by José Serebrier
and the Diabelli Variations
of Ludwig van Beethoven
for Decca.
Romanovsky has played throughout Europe, as well as in Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. He continues to live in Italy.
Romanovsky appeared at age 11 with the Moscow Virtuosi under Vladimir Spivakov
Vladimir Spivakov
Vladimir Teodorovich Spivakov is a leading Russian conductor and violinist best known for his work with the chamber orchestra....
. His piano teacher was Leonid Margaruis, a pupil of Regina Horowitz, who was the sister of pianist Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
. When Romanovsky was 13, Margaruis moved to Italy to teach at the Accademica pianistica di Imola; Romanovsky followed him there to continue his studies with him. Romanovsky graduated from the Accdemica in 2007 with a master's degree. He also studied under pianist Dimitri Alexeev
Dimitri Alexeev
-Life:Dmitri Alexeev was a student at the Moscow Conservatory. He also studied under Dmitri Bashkirov. In the 1970s he made his debut in London, Vienna, Chicago and New York...
at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
in London, England, graduating with an "Artist's Diploma" upon completing studies there in 2008.
In 1999, at the age of 15, Romanovsky was awarded the title of Honorary Academician by the Accademica Filarmonica di Bologna following a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
's Goldberg Variations
Goldberg Variations
The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, is a work for harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of an aria and a set of 30 variations. First published in 1741, the work is considered to be one of the most important examples of variation form...
; before this, only Gioachino Rossini and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
had been accorded such an honor at that age. In 2001, at the age of 17, he won first prize in the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition
Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition
The Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition is a music competition for young pianists that takes place in Bolzano, Italy.-History: The first Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition was organized by Cesare Nordio in 1949 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the death of pianist and...
in Bolzano, Italy. In 2007 he was invited to perform a Mozart concerto for Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
, and signed a recording contract with Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. His first CD, devoted to works of Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
and Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
, was produced in 2007. A second CD, devoted to the works of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music...
, followed in 2009. Future projects include recording the piano concertos of Alexander Glazunov
Alexander Glazunov
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov was a Russian composer of the late Russian Romantic period, music teacher and conductor...
with the Russian National Orchestra
Russian National Orchestra
The Russian National Orchestra premiered in Moscow in 1990.It was the first Russian orchestra to perform at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican and in Israel....
conducted by José Serebrier
José Serebrier
José Serebrier is a Uruguayan conductor and composer. He married American soprano Carole Farley in 1969.- Youth :Serebrier was born in Montevideo, and first conducted an orchestra at the age of eleven, while at school. The school orchestra toured the country, which meant he was able to notch up...
and the Diabelli Variations
Diabelli Variations
The 33 Variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120, commonly known as the Diabelli Variations, is a set of variations for the piano written between 1819 and 1823 by Ludwig van Beethoven on a waltz composed by Anton Diabelli...
of Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
for Decca.
Romanovsky has played throughout Europe, as well as in Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. He continues to live in Italy.
Sources
- Romanovsky biography on Marrinsky Theater website. Accessed 6-10-2010.
- Mariinsky interview with Romanovsky 10-15-2009. Accessed 6-10-2010.
- Mariinsky interview with Romanovsky 6-6-2010. Accessed 6-10-2010.
- Biography on Romanovsky website. Accessed 6-10-2010.