Alexander, you have played in Bologna many times, what is your impression of the city?

I am always extremely happy to come back to this city. I almost consider it my own, since I lived in nearby Imola for 15 years when I was studying at the world famous International Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestro”. Bologna is a very interesting city and it is extremely rich in history. For example Hapsburg Emperor Charles V chose to be crowned in the Basilica of San Petronio.

© Ugo Dalla Porta

At the moment you are living in Italy. Why did you choose this country?

I left Ukraine when I was 13 years old but not because of any particular desire on my part or that of my parents for a better life. It was simply because my piano teacher, Leonid Naumovich Margarius, moved to Germany and then to Italy. He had been one of the favorite pupils of Regina, the sister of Vladimir Gorovits, and had spent most of his life in Kharkov, the city where I was born. Naturally I followed him and I enrolled in the piano Academy at Imola. In 2008 I graduated from the Royal College of Music in London. I belong to that Russian school of the piano which produced great interpreters such as Emile Gilels and Vladimir Gorovits. During my life abroad, we have always continued to revere Russia, Ukraine and the great Russian musical school which links us. Our two countries have always remained culturally united and we share great pride in our common heritage. This is a great virtue.

© Ugo Dalla Porta

In 1999 the title of “Honorary Member of the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna” was conferred on you, following your performance of Bach’s Goldberg variations. Could you tell us something about this?

This was a great honor for me. The Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna was founded in 1666 and it was one of the most prestigious and distinguished musical academies in Europe. Many greatest musicians of the past have been members of the Academy. Leopold Mozart, for example, brought his son Wolfgang to take the very difficult exam, and he was granted the title of academician when he was 15 years old. I am very pleased to have been granted a similar honor at the same age. Many famous musicians have been academicians as well as historical figures such as Kings of Italy and Mussolini.

You have already recorded three CDs with the prestigious DECCA label which were well received in the New York Times and in the Guardian. This February another recording was issued, dedicated to Sergei Rachmaninov. The CD has an interesting title, the “Russian Faust”, could you tell us about its meaning?

This time I decided to record two of Rachmaninov sonatas. I took up the suggestion of the composer’s nephew, a great friend of mine, Alexander Rachmaninov, who unfortunately died a year ago. According to a letter that Rachmaninov wrote to a friend, the composition of the first sonata was inspired by Goethe’s Faust. However, in contrast to Goethe’s character, the “Russian Faust” is in continual movement, constantly looking for something, not to dedicate his life to the search for a preordained objective, but to find the meaning of life itself and to treasure its every moment. It is a very complex work, which explains why it is so rarely performed. However I believe that it expresses Rachmaninov’s genius in all its greatness and the sonata deserves to be played more often.

© Ugo Dalla Porta

Alexander, how would you define your personal artistic style?

It is always difficult to talk about oneself, but I think I can say that my main aim is to touch the soul of my audience. As Regina Samojlovna Gorovits said, this is the basis of our whole school of music. I would also like to change the relationship that young people have with classical music, I’d like to show them that it is a living art and during a concert one assists in an act of creation.