1. Where were you born? Tell us a little about your youth and upbringing.
I was born in St Petersburg, Russia. At the time, it was still called Leningrad. Although they are not professional musicians, both my parents always shared a great passion for music. My dad plays piano and guitar and my mom also plays the piano. I started playing piano and guitar before I even remember, but there’s a picture of me playing the piano when I was one years old.
2. Earliest musical memories?
Going to the Philharmonic Hall for the first time when I was five. Listening to Chopin’s piano music on the radio. Watching my dad rehearse with his band and log their equipment up to the fifth floor of our walk up building at the time.
3. Your education? Where did you attend college, primary teachers?
I began attending the Special School of Music for Gifted Children at the St Petersburg Conservatory when I was five. Got started on the cello just a few months later. I had a variety of teachers some of them taught me more than others. At age seventeen I came to New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music with cellist Marion Feldman. I also had a chance to play for many other prominent cellists in New York City at the time.
4. Why did you choose your instrument?
When I was five, my grandmother gave me an LP of Russian cellist Knushevitsky performing the Khachaturian Cello Concerto. I instantly fell in love with the concerto and with the tone of the cello and decided that someday I would be playing that same concerto on stage with orchestra… Less than a year later I was giving my first public performance on the cello (I was playing a sonata by Romberg). The other part of my dream, performing the Khachaturian, just came true last year. I’ve performed it with several orchestras since.
5. When did you know you wanted to be a professional musician?
There was a battle on and off in my life between wanting to be a cellist and an airline pilot. It was not until I was well in my twenties that I made the commitment to the cello and dedicated myself to it to the fullest extent.
6. Who were/are your most important musical influences?
Ok, I’ll throw in a few names: Boris Grebenschikov (leader of my favorite Russian band called Akvarium), Sting, Michael Tilson Thomas, Rostropovich.
7. Most inspiring composers?
Mostly, what I am playing at the time. I just finished a weekend of three performances of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. Right now I think it’s the best piece ever written. But a week from now I’ll fall in love with something else. Although, I do have some all-time favorites, as far as cello music is concerned: Khachaturian Concerto, Shostakovich Sonata, Bach Suite no 2 in D minor.
8. What would you be if not a musician?
An airline pilot, as I already said. Flying is the biggest passion in my life other than music.
9. Your favorite thing about playing in the ACO?
I love working with Stewart Robertson. He’s one of the most inspiring musicians and greatest people I’ve ever met or worked with. I love the friendly atmosphere in the orchestra. And I very much appreciate the support that the musicians receive from the community and especially from the people that are involved with the symphony.
10. With what other ensembles do you perform/where do you teach?
My debut solo CD called SOLO FLIGHT just came out last month. It’s a compilation of my favorite cello works: some Bach, a flamenco suite by Spanish cellist and composer Gaspar Cassado, and another beautiful contemporary work by a friend composer Ilya Levinson. So,all I am doing right now is pretty much related to the CD release: doing a lot of solo performing, going on a big CD release tour later this spring. The only time I teach cello is at a summer festival in Bloomington IL, at the Illinois Wesleyan University.
11. What is in your CD player right now?
I do most of my listening on my iPhone. I’ve got “Songs from the Labyrinth by Sting. He sings songs by the medieval English composer John Dowland accompanied by the lute. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. I can listen to that album over and over again. Also Serge Gainsbourg, a famous French pop singer from the 1960-70s. Lots of Akvarium, my favorite Russian band.
12. What do you like to do outside of work/hobby/pastimes?
Most important time for me is the time I spend with my son, whether it’s helping him with his homework, sledding, flying planes, or reading books with him before going to sleep. Besides, I love to cook, especially make my own sushi. And of course, flying!
13. Anything else particularly interesting or enlightening you would like to share?
Lately, I discovered that you can accomplish absolutely anything, if you only set your mind on it and believe in yourself!
