By Anne RinaudoTuesday 13 Nov 2018Open House InterviewsCultureReading Time: 2 minutes
Listen: Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev in conversation with Stephen O’Doherty.
Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev is a talented pianist making his mark on the world stage. He is the grandson of famous Russian pianist Tatiana Nikolaeva who was a contemporary of Dmitri Shostakovich.
His mother teaches at a prestigious Moscow piano academy. He made his public debut at the age of nine with the Bryansk City Chamber Orchestra.
International reputation
He won the Percy Grainger Second Prize at the 2016 Sydney International Piano Competition at the young age of 23. He has since won the 5th International Scriabin Piano Competition, was awarded second prize for the performance of Russian music at the Cleveland International Piano Competition and second prize at the Grieg International Piano Competition in Bergen.
Talented double bill
Arseny was in Australia recently with Andrey Gugnin who beat Arseny to the first prize in the 2016 Sydney International Piano Competition. However there are no hard feeling between the two, who have become best friends.
Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev. Photo credits: Decca Classics
The Sydney Piano Competition worked for two years to bring this superb pairing back to Australia, a wonderful gift for Australian music lovers, given the popularity and extensive touring schedules of these young pianists.
Musical communicators
Sydney International Piano Competition’s Artistic Director, Piers Lane AO said, “After hearing these two remarkable pianists in the 2016 Competition, their continuing successes and achievements don’t really surprise me! I have attended their performances on many occasions now – with the London Philharmonic, in St Petersburg, in Australia and in the States.
They are uniquely talented and both are real musical communicators. Into the bargain they are good friends! To have them paired in a double bill concert will be something truly special and enjoyable. Audiences will be treated to a concert which clearly reveals the level of talent the Sydney Competition attracts and continues to support well after the jury pronouncements are made.
Photo credits: Decca Classics
To listen to the podcast of this conversation click the red play button at the top of the page, or you can subscribe to Open House podcasts in iTunes and they will appear in your feed.