Stunning Lavrova Primakov Duo comes to Cupertino April 18

Steinway Society The Bay Area, the non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in piano performance and music education in the Bay Area, presents acclaimed piano duo Natalia Lavrova and Vassily Primakov in an evening of lush and lively works by Saint-Saëns, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, and more. The Russian-born artists have performed extensively throughout the United States, garnering rave reviews from audiences and critics for their brilliance and depth. The virtuosi will perform at 7:30pm on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at De Anza College’s Visual & Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino.

The Lavrova/Primakov Duo was established in August 2010, and since then, has performed on many of the world’s great stages, capturing accolades from audiences and critics. In November 2011, Ms. Lavrova and Mr. Primakov established their own record label, LP Classics, an initiative committed to unearthing lost historical gems, presenting never-before released recordings, and enriching the discographies of emerging stars of the new generation. Says the pair, “We feel that our strength is in being two very individual performers, long standing friends, and collaborators and this keeps us constantly grounded in promoting projects we feel a responsibility toward. We enter every situation, concert and project with a level of pride, respect and devotion and we sincerely hope that this will translate to our future listeners.”

In recent years, Vassily Primakov has been hailed as a pianist of world-class importance. Mr. Primakov entered Moscow’s Central Special Music School as a pupil of Vera Gornostaeva, and at 17 came to New York to pursue studies at the Juilliard School with the noted pianist, Jerome Lowenthal. At Juilliard, Mr. Primakov won the William Petschek Piano Recital Award and, while at Juilliard, he won both the Silver Medal and the Audience Prize in the 2002 Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition. Later that year, Mr. Primakov won First Prize in the 2002 Young Concert Artists (YCA) International Auditions. In 2007, he was named the Classical Recording Foundation’s “Young Artist of the Year.” In 2009, Primakov’s “Chopin: 21 Mazurkas” recording was named “Best of the Year” by National Public Radio. Vassily Primakov has released numerous recordings for Bridge Records and LP Classics. In 2013, Mr. Primakov performed a solo all-Chopin concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall and a month-long concert tour in South Africa.

Natalia Lavrova is an exhilarating pianist of multi-faceted artistry, whose sincerity of interpretation and beguiling charm have won the hearts of audiences across the United States and Europe. Ms. Lavrova enjoys a diverse career upon the international platform, while also holding substantial positions in the worlds of arts administration and pedagogy. Ms. Lavrova has captured top prizes at the New Orleans, Isabel Scionti, Frinna Auerbach, and Senigallia International Piano Competitions. Upon her debut at the Leeds International Piano Competition, Ms. Lavrova was the youngest performer of 1996 admitted to the quarterfinal round. The virtuosa began her piano studies when she entered the preparatory division of the Moscow Conservatory, and was subsequently accepted to the Juilliard School Pre-College Division, as a pupil in the studio of Herbert Stessin. Ms. Lavrova went on to earn her Bachelors and Masters of Music at Juilliard, under the tutelage of Jerome Lowenthal.

For this concert, the duo will perform Scriabin’s “Fantasy for two Pianos in A Minor, Op. Posth,” Saint-Saëns’ “Variations on a Theme by Beethoven for Two Pianos, Op. 35,” Liszt’s “Concerto Pathétique for Two Pianos, S. 258,” Lutosławski’s “Variations on a Theme by Paganini for Two Pianos,” Arensky’s “Suite for Two Pianos No. 3 in C Major, Op. 33,” and Rachmaninoff’s “Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17.”

The Steinway Society’s 20th Annual Piano Series will conclude with internationally acclaimed piano master Sofya Gulyak on May 17. For more information visit www.steinwaysociety.com

Founded in 1994, Steinway Society The Bay Area is a non-profit volunteer-based organization with a mission “to promote excellence in piano performance and music education in the Bay Area.” The organization is now recognized as a cultural gem of San Jose and the entire South Bay Area, highly regarded for offering a unique set of piano recitals in intimate, elegant settings across the region.

For tickets ($40-$60, discounts available for seniors/students) and more information the public may call (408) 990-0872 or visit www.steinwaysociety.com.