Portland Piano International: Ilya Yakushev (Saturday)

• Ilya Yakushev, piano

Franz Joseph Haydn — Keyboard Sonata in D major, Hob. XVI:42
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Adagio in B minor, K. 540
Sergei Rachmaninoff — Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5
Sergei Rachmaninoff — Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Sergei Rachmaninoff — Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2
George Gershwin — Three Preludes
Alexander Scriabin — Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9
Sergei Prokofiev — Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83

With his "winning blend of rapturous lyricism and dramatic flair" (San Jose Mercury News), Ilya Yakushev marks his PPI debut with a fascinating program that unites Classical elegance and fiery modernism.

The sunny opening trills and music-box precision of Haydn's Sonata in D major contrast with Mozart's shadowy Adagio in B minor, a meditative work that weeps with melancholy. And on the second half, Yakushev brings his vibrant, characterful interpretations of 20th-century masterworks to the stage — from the menacing militarism of Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7 to Gershwin's Three Preludes, which seamlessly integrate the lush harmonies of European Romanticism with the spiky rhythms of American jazz.

About Portland Piano International

https://portlandpiano.org/

About Ilya Yakushev, piano

Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev, with many awards and honors to his credit, continues to astound and mesmerize audiences at major venues on three continents.

In the 2019-20 season, Ilya Yakushev performed as piano soloist with Millikin-Decatur Symphony, Pachuca Philharmonic, Fairfield County Orchestra, St. Petersburg Governor’s Orchestra and St. Petersburg Philharmonic in addition to over 30 recitals in North America and Europe.

Highlights of Yakushev’s 2021-22 season include appearances with the Wisconsin Philharmonic and La Crosse Symphony. He will also play recitals in the US and Russia.

In February 2014, British label Nimbus Records published “Prokofiev Sonatas Vol. 1” CD. American Record Guide wrote “Yakushev is one of the very best young pianists before the public today, and it doesn’t seem to matter what repertoire he plays – it is all of the highest caliber”. Volume 2 was published in January 2017, as well as an all-Russian repertoire CD in September 2017.

In past seasons, he has performed in various prestigious venues worldwide, including Glinka Philharmonic Hall (St. Petersburg), Victoria Hall (Singapore), Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York), Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco), and Sejong Performing Arts Center (Seoul, Korea). His performances with orchestra include those with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, BBC Concert Orchestra, Boston Pops, Rochester Philharmonic, Utah Symphony, and many others.

Winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition which took place in Cincinnati, OH, Mr. Yakushev received his first award at age 12 as a prizewinner of the Young Artists Concerto Competition in his native St. Petersburg. In 1997, he received the Mayor of St. Petersburg’s Young Talents award, and in both 1997 and 1998, he won First Prize at the Donostia Hiria International Piano Competition in San Sebastian, Spain. In 1998, he received a national honor, The Award for Excellence in Performance, presented to him by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation in Moscow. Most recently, Mr. Yakushev became a recipient of the prestigious Gawon International Music Society’s Award in Seoul, Korea.

Mr. Yakushev attended the Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music in his native St. Petersburg, Russia, and subsequently came to New York City to attend Mannes College of Music where he studied with legendary pianist Vladimir Feltsman.

Ilya Yakushev is a Yamaha artist.

http://www.ilyayakushev.com/