Asiya Korepanova

Which people would you invite as guests to your dream dinner party?

Richard Strauss and I would like to ask him if I were lucky enough to sign my copy of his composition “A Hero’s Life.”

What is your favorite meal?

Pad Thai.

Do you have a favorite motto or proverb that you live your life by?

"Ad cogitandum et agendum homo natus est." This translates to "A man is born to thought and action."

Which person or people inspire you the most?

People who are able to overcome great challenges by themselves.

If you were 80 years old, what advice would you give to young people today?

Don't hurry! Take as much time as you need.

What would you like people to say about you?

I would like people not to talk about me, but instead to talk about the things I created and did in my life.

How do you overcome the stage fright? / What is your ritual before going on stage?

The stage fright is an integral part of the performance! I don’t overcome it, but I use it like a fuel before the performances. My ritual is to sleep in the afternoon if I am perforing in the evening.

When you perform... who are you playing for?

For everyone in the hall, and for Music itself.

What job would you least like to do?

I would not like to to a job in which I was not allowed to be what I am.

Is there a joke about musicians that you would like to share with us?

Richter and Gilels are judging the Tchaikovsky Competition. Pianist N performs. Gilels says to Richter: "Look, Sviatoslav Teofilovich, what beauty plays – the very image of Venus de Milo!" Richter replied: "Perhaps I will agree, however, there is a need to cut her hands for more similarities! ..."

What's the "most played" non-classical track on your phone?

Too much love will kill you – Queen.

You are on a desert island and can bring only 3 items, what do you bring?

Some paper, a pencil and a knife.

What is your favorite noise/sound? What is the most annoying noise for you?

My favorite noise/sound – morning singing birds and all natural noises. The most annoying noise… It’s difficult to choose just one. It depends on context.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would like to change my place of residence every five years.

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word Tchaikovsky?

Manfred Symphony. Because it was the first work of Tchaikovsky that I heard and that's why it's the most favorite and always seemed magical.

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word competition?

Tchaikovsky Competition. Seriously! I think I first learned this word in early childhood in the context of the Tchaikovsky Competition – a friend and I were in auditioning in 1990.