In a programme of J. S. Bach: Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (arr. Ferruccio Busoni); Schubert: Sonata in C minor D 958; Chopin: Two Nocturnes Op. 9, Two Valses: Op. 34 No. 1, Op. 64 No. 2, Ballade No. 3 Op. 47, 3 Mazurkas Op. 17, Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise Op. 22
Once a “Superstar for insiders” (Die Welt), Konstantin Scherbakov is today one of internationally renowned pianists who take a special place in the modern piano world. His creativity and immense contribution to the piano repertoire and recording catalogue are undisputed. “One of the most capable, daring and interesting musicians of these days” – Peter Cossé, the famous German critic once described him.
Selfless dedication and uncompromising responsibility towards music and piano repertoire set Scherbakov’s priority throughout his fourty-years-long career. For him, being a musician first and foremost means to serve the music and not to stand in the spotlight. Viewing the pianist as an intermediary, communicating the message and intentions of the composer — that is the aesthetic concept that determines Scherbakov’s entire artistic path. An insatiable musical curiosity and an exceptional ability to quickly assimilate unconventional and highly complex texts, an analytical mind and unlimited virtuosity – these are the essential qualities that have accompanied Scherbakov on his journey across the ocean of piano literature.
The 20-year-old pianist’s phenomenal victory at the Rachmaninoff Competition (Moscow, 1983) with Rachmaninoff’s less known 4th Piano Concerto carried a symbolic sign: it made the pianist aware of his interests, confirmed them and set his future artistic goals. His mission to promote the forgotten, unknown, but no less beautiful music has become apparent.
Scherbakov’s most recent project is the 6 CD’s recording of the Complete Rachmaninoff’s Solo Piano Works, where he makes a traversal through the composer’s prodigious output, from the early pieces to the magic Corelli-Variations. Since 1998, Konstantin Scherbakov has been Professor at the Zurich University of Arts; many of his students received prizes at international piano competitions, most notably Yulianna Avdeeva, the winner of the 2010 Chopin Competition in Warsaw.
Konstantin Scherbakov has been a jury member of many international competitions, such as ARD Munich, Busoni (Bolzano), Liszt (Weimar), Rio de Janeiro, Youth Tchaikovsky (Seoul), Beethoven (Bonn), Havana, Hamburg, Antwerp etc.
