Cellist Alexey Sarkissov and pianist Alexander Karpeyev present a programme of Russian classical composers, who were suppressed during the Communist regime or had to leave the country altogether. The programme includes Grechaninov’s rarely-performed Sonata for cello and piano, Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne and the dramatic sonata by Shostakovich written months before his music was condemned by the Soviet government. 

PROGRAMME:

Grechaninov Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 113

Stravinsky Suite Italienne

Rachmaninov Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14

Shostakovich Cello sonata, Op. 40

ALEXEI SARKISSOV was born in Moscow in 1974 and started music lessons at the age of five in the Gnessin Special Music School. In 1992 he continued his education in the Russian Academy of Music with Professor Vladimir Tonkha. He gave his first solo recital at the age of ten and following year performed his concerto debut. In 1995 Alexei won a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music with Professor Alexander Boyarsky. Winning all the major college awards while studying there in 1997 he moved to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama to study with Professor Stefan Popov. 

Since then, professional engagements have taken him all over Russia, former Soviet Union, Europe and as far as New Zealand. His musical talent was recognised by a string of awards including Grand Prix in "Citta Di Moncalieri" International Competition and 1st Prize at the "Dasinamov" International Competition. Alexei has performed in presence of The Pope John Paul II in Vatican, The former President of Russia Boris Eltsin in Moscow's Kremlin and HRH Prince of Wales. He has recorded for Russian and Italian radio and numerously appeared on international radio and television. His CD includes works by Schubert, Schumann, Francouer and Tchaikovsky. Alexei currently resides in London and maintains a busy schedule of chamber music and solo performances. In the past season he has performed in "Homecoming" Festivals in Moscow and Estonia, toured South America with Russian Virtuosi of Europe, Norway with Trondheim Symphony, Orpheus and Bacchus Festival in Bourdeax, London's King’s Place with Kandinsky Piano Trio to name just a few. Broadcasts included BBC’s Radio 3 ’In tune’. 

Pushkin House’s Music Curator Dr ALEXANDER KARPEYEV has been a major prizewinner in international competitions, including 1st prizes at the 2007 Dudley International Piano Competition, the Norah Sande Award 2008 and Oxford Music Festival’s recital competition. He is the graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and City University London, where in 2014 he successfully defended his doctoral thesis on the performance practice in the music of Nikolay Medtner. Alexander has given recitals in the major venues of the UK (the Barbican, Kings Place, Purcell Room, Royal Festival, Cadogan, Wigmore and Queen Elizabeth Halls in London; Bridgewater Hall in Manchester). Abroad, he has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Belgium, Canada, Greece, Japan, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. His performances have been featured on Sky Television and BBC Radio. In 2008 he was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medal, and in January 2016 organized first in the UK International Medtner festival.

This event is part of the Bloomsbury Festival

Please note that Pushkin House will hold the tickets of latecomers for twenty minutes following the event start time, after which unclaimed tickets will be released. 

If you are running late, please contact us in order to avoid this.