Graduate of the Moscow Conservatory studying under Prof. Natalia Shakhovskaya (2012). He is currently pursuing advanced studies there and at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin under Prof. Frans Helmerson. He has won prestigious international competitions, such as the 5th UNISA International String Competition in Pretoria (South Africa, 2010, fourth prize), the 3rd Beijing International Music Competition (2010, first prize), and the Paulo Cello Competition in Helsinki (2013, third prize). In 2010 he won the 1st Russian National Music Competition in Moscow, and in 2011 he participated in the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition. He has performed in the world’s foremost concert venues, including the Concertgebouw, the Brucknerhaus in Linz, and the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. Since 2012 he has been part of the concert programme of the Moscow Philharmonic. He plays a modern instrument made by Jebran Yakoub.
Which people would you invite as guests to your dream dinner party?
I have never thought about it.
What is your favorite meal?
Oh, I have a lot of favorite dishes. I couldn’t eat the same dish every day. Sooner or later I get bored. But if I think for the sake of an answer: a good steak cooked medium.
Do you have a favorite motto or proverb that you live your life by?
There is always a choice.
Which person or people inspire you the most?
My mom and my wife.
If you were 80 years old, what advice would you give to young people today?
I’ll tell you when I’m 80!
What would you like people to say about you?
Before, I always wanted to know what people said about me. In the last few years, I'm no longer interested by it.
How do you overcome the stage fright? / What is your ritual before going on stage?
You don’t need to overcome the stage fright, I think. Unless, of course, we are talking about a yips. In my opinion, the excitement is necessary before the concert for more emotional performances. It is important to send this state into the right direction. I try to think less about myself and more about music and musical objectives which are in front of me.
When you perform... who are you playing for?
For the audience, for God and for myself.
What job would you least like to do?
I will not be original in my answer! All professions are important, all professions are needed.
What's the "most played" non-classical track on your phone?
I have a lot of favorite tracks among the non-academic music. Pink Floyd - Shine on you crazy diamond is great!
You are on a desert island and can bring only 3 items, what do you bring?
My wife Anna, cello and matches. You can’t be without matches.
What is your favorite noise/sound? What is the most annoying noise for you?
Facourite - The sound of the cello - it’s my favorite sound. Warm, melodious, deep timbre like the human voice. Annoying - the sound of the alarm, for example, at 3 am after the concert so I don’t fall into a deep sleep before my flight.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Moscow, New-York, Berlin, Paris, Madrid… No matter as long as my family are with me.
What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word Tchaikovsky?
My favourite music.
What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word competition?
Again?!
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