YOUNG RUSSIAN PIANISTS ON PODIUM WITTEMAN

This project was brought to life in collaboration with the PIANO DUO FESTIVAL Amsterdam. Just 1 week before the winter lockdown 2021, 5 young pianists from the Moscow Gnessin Special School of Music came to Amsterdam to take part in a series of concerts. Two youngest talents, Ziyu Shao (11) and Sofia Tsinman (11) appeared on Dutch national television, in PODIUM WITTEMAN, the prime-time program about classical music.

The project

Steadfastly committed to giving the stage to exceptionally talented young musicians from around the world, Piano Duo Festival Amsterdam has decided to invite these pianists for performance in 2020. However, due to restrictions the project was postponed to 2021.

According to the artistic leaders Lestari Scholtes and Gwylim Janssens: “It was clear from the first few notes that each of them will embark on a wonderful international music career, both as soloists and as duo players. We at the Piano Duo Festival have always been committed to discovering new talents. We are proud to be part of Amsterdam’s music scene, and we set on a journey to introduce these future stars to new audiences."

However, just a few weeks before the scheduled arrival of the Russian musicians, the insecurity kept building up. The sudden announcement of the new measures just 3 weeks before the first concert date – now all the events had to be finished by 5p.m. – created quite a puzzle for the organizing party. All the programs had to be changed, concerts rescheduled, logistics turned upside down. But not for a moment were Herman-Wesselink College, Nieuw Podium Klassiek Almere or the PianoDuo Festival in doubt – the project had to go forward, this year.

And finally, they arrived, accompanied by parents and the teacher Elena Berezkina. The whole group of 11 people had to be tested every day in order to be allowed to enter the rehearsal room or the concert halls! This is where their love and dedication to music was really put to a test. And thank heavens, none of the soloists or the accompanying adults got sick, and the concerts were a great success!

The full lockdown was announced just 5 days after their departure. What an unbelievable adventure!

The Young Pianists

Ziyu Shao – 11 y.o.

Sofia Tsinman – 11 y.o.

Fedor Orlov – 17 y,o.

Egor Oparin – 17 y.o.

Artemy Sokolovsky 17 y.o. – piano

All the young musicians are students of the famous professor Elena Berezkina at the Moscow Gnessin Special School of Music, recognised as one of the leading institutions for young talents providing an outstanding all-round educational experience. The school celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, and among its graduates are numerous grandmasters, to name just a few: Evgeny Kissin, Daniil Trifonov, Boris Berezovsky, Alexander Knyazev, Alexey Ogrintchuk, and many more.

Piano Duo Festival Amsterdam

The Piano Duo festival Amsterdam is an annual festival that focuses on piano concerts played by "four hands." Every year the festival invites national and international top duos to perform the most exciting concerts, from classical to jazz, from young talents to international top stars, and from baby concerts to workshops and recitals.

The main location of the festival is the beautiful Duif in the city centre of Amsterdam. For more information, please visit the Piano Duo festival Amsterdam website.