Alexandre Moutouzkine
pianist
Welcome!
March 2, 2010
Spring.
The first days of spring. I am back to NY's slowly melting snow. We've had a very nice concert in Dallas. I have to say every single musician I played with was absolutely exceptional! Very nice review from Scott Cantrell in Dallas Morning News (...).
I will be in NY for a week rehearsing with Benito Meza, playing at a concert at Steinway Gallery in Melville, NY dedicated to 20th anniversary of Long Island Institute of Music, where I used to teach and then off to Berlin to play Brahms First Concerto next week.
-A.M.
___________________
February 21, 2010
...
I love Brahms. There is actually a book by Francoise Sagan "Aimez-vous Brahms". I love that book too. Most of my friends don't feel much affection for her books, but I think she is an incredible psychologist when it comes to love stories. A French version of Dostoevsky, I know I'll be severely criticized for saying this, but I can't help it. I love her.
I am in Texas. It is so warm here. Funny enough, Ben Beilman (the violinist with whom I enjoyed so much playing Brahms on Wednesday) is also in TX today playing in Corpus Christi. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends here, it has been a while.
February 10, 2010
Snowstorm
Heavy snow showers and freezing winds are sweeping across New York. I just got snowed in in Philadelphia over weekend, which turned out to be a great experience. "Astral" is an absolutely unique place: all the artists I met there so far are most incredible and humble musicians and all the people who shape and lead this organization are
true gurus in all senses.
New Yorks snowstorm is keeping me from rehearsing Brahms Violin sonata with Ben Beilman and the performance is already next Wednesday. I am running out of coffee, but its fun to look outside on riotous snowflakes and then get back to soothing piano.
- A.M.
January 31, 2010
Saturday night
Just got back from the concert/lecture at the Bryn Mawr College. What a nice place! The lecture part of the evening was a new undertaking for me. It is one thing to say a couple sentences introducing a piece; it is another to actually talk for an hour about Chopin's life. The public was so attentive and responsive, thank you to everyone who was there :-)
Now I am looking forward to playing Tchaikovsky's "Seasons" on Thursday with a narrative by Bonnie Slobodien; and, of course, all the chamber music.
P.S. A nice review from Florida's "Palm Beach News", congratulations to Igor!
January 21, 2010
"Between the Keys" is launched
I had a great time playing with Igor Begelman in Florida. We flew back to NY yesterday morning and already by the late afternoon I was meeting with managers at Astral Artists in Philadelphia.
Today we are launching the new project "Between the Keys: The Mystery of Coriglianos Solo Keyboard Works." Check it out, there is a new menu button for it and once the actual tour will start, there will be a separate website dedicated to it.
-AM
January 16, 2010
First days in NY in 2010
Three days of intense rehearsals with Igor Begelman and we are ready for our concerts in Florida on Monday and Tuesday. It will be nice to come back to Kravis Center, where I've played last time almost 8 years ago.
New York based pianists, if you have not met Francis Romano yet, do so! Apart from being one of the most knowledgeable and charismatic people I know, he has acquired a huge collection of recordings and scores/books that are truly rare! Every time I visit him, it is such an inspiration!
January 11, 2009
It's almost mid January and I am about to navigate into a chamber music sprint that will finish with Shostakovich' s quintet at the end of February in Texas.
Someone just asked me what I was reading now. We used to ask each other that question all the time. By now, I think, there have been years since someone asked me that. Reading is not a part of daily entertainment any more, most of us would much rather watch a movie or chat with friends. To me, reading became either educational or inspirational matter. Among the authors I am reading the most these days are Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov, Vladimir Zhikarenzev. I just got acquainted with wonderful works of Alexander Zibisov, who is also from N. Novgorod, by the way. Of course, I am reading a lot of educational literature. As far as easy reading goes, one time at an Airport I discovered James Patterson, a lot of fun and usually you get through the book in one sitting. A friend gave me as a present a book by Paul Austen "Mr. Vertigo", what a wonderful work. Also, I just attempted to read through Edgar Poe's tales, but somehow it didnt time right with my inner rhythm and I postponed it till later. Too bad we dont read quite as much as we used to giving in all the advanced technologies. There is something magical about a book in your hands. The way it smells, the way a page rustles when you turn it ...
December 17, 2009
Early break.
Having a luxury of free time for the rest of December I decided to spend all of the Holidays with my parents in Russia. Nizhny Novgorod met me with the utmost cold weather, which was even more shocking after leaving New York on a rainy afternoon. Having a jetlag and waking up around five in the morning I did not find anything better to do than read. One of the things on my mind is the upcoming lecture-recital at the Bryn Mawr College at the end of January. On my quest for a particular theme for this recital I picked up quite a sizable book by Tad Szulc "Chopin in Paris". It didnt turn out to be exactly what I was looking for being a very detailed and careful scholar work rather than an emotionally charged story. Nevertheless, thanks to the author who has collected every bit of information, I have learned a lot of facts and assumptions based on facts that I never knew before not only about Chopin, but every person surrounding and influencing him and any way. I cant say that I found the inspiration yet to pick a topic for my upcoming concert, but it definitely was very motivating to learn once more how productive and work oriented talented people always have been. At first I was to blame (or rather look for an excuse) for selected moments of my passive existence the ever-growing technology and entertainment that seems to have the power of sucking you in, whether its a TV, or a phone, or games, or internet. But than I realized that this book also covers the fact that all these great people of 1830s have been surrounded with lovers, friends and colleagues that took interest in nothing more than just drinking, talking politics, or haunting. Basically, it is in our nature to enjoy good times and look for entertainment disregarding its source. Just as one of George Sands lovers Alfred Musset wrote once: I have worked all day and by evening I did ten verses and drunk a bottle of firewater; she (George Sand) has drunk a liter of milk and wrote half a volume. I trust that everyone is entitled to a talent that is presumably a gift from above, but that alone does not rank anyone to anything other than a responsibility. A talent seeking work is the one that has all the potential, because not only it makes a fine effort going against the seduction of looking for leisure, it is the only effort that differentiates us from each other. The talent alone does not make anyone great. The work does so.
December 8, 2009
Working on a promotional video for a new project.
I have beeing working closely with a friend on putting together a promotional video for my new project. Keep an eye out for it! I'm hoping it will be completed before the end of the week.
Also - don't forget to leave me your email address to be added to my mailing list.
November 20, 2009
Contact list...
I have been told that I need to update my contact list - I'd rather be practicing but I would really appreciate if you would fill out the contact form on this site so I can add you to my email list!
I'll be able to keep you updated with my performances and other fun things this way.
P.S. A nice review from the Symphony concert - clip added under PRESS.
November 15, 2009
Stamford Symphony!
The weekend performances are over and they went quite well. I got to play on the brand new Bluthner - an amazing instrument. Thank you very much to all those in attendance. Hope to be back in beautiful Stamford soon!
November 1, 2009
Hello and welcome to my new website!
A new look for a new season.
All important information is available on this website as before but I've also added an "FYE" page which just lists some quotes and videos I find entertaining. Enjoy!
My official YouTube page has just been launched as well. You'll see the link/logo on the bottom of each page for easy access. I'll be uploading performance videos as often as possible and am hoping to start vblogging so send me some questions and I'd be more than happy to address via video.
Go ahead and friend me on YouTube!
Please keep checking back for more updates.
Oh, and photo credits go to B. Hatton and M. Graves.
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