Program
| Composer | Work | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Johann Sebastian Bach | Italian Concerto, BWV 971 | 1735 |
| Dmitri Shostakovich | Piano Sonata No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61 | 1943 |
| Intermission | ||
| Claude Debussy | Études, L. 136 | 1915 |
About the Artist
Vitaly Starikov
Pianist Vitaly Starikov has found distinction with raw, deeply felt, and powerful (La Scena) performances, while having an unassuming onstage presence and a willingness less to play at the audience than to draw [them] into musical intimacies (Dallas Morning News). His bold approach won him silver at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the admiration of fans around the globe.
Vitaly’s perspective on music is manifested in his repertoire: he presents music that reflects not only tradition, but also contemporary life, striving to offer new perspectives on familiar music and introduce lesser-known pieces to wider audiences. His Cliburn performance of Bartok’s Second Piano Concerto electrified the room, with a La Scena reviewer noting that he understood this music, and gave an impactful, lively, and gripping interpretation on all levels: emotionally, architecturally, and in terms of his sound palette.
Recital and chamber music appearances have taken him around the world, notably to Austria, Australia, Slovakia, Israel, Cyprus, Italy, France, Belgium, and Malaysia, with highlights including Sydney Opera House, Queen Elisabeth Hall, and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. He has performed with the Antwerp and Belgian National Orchestras, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Belarusian State Symphony Orchestra, and St. Petersburg Symphony, and toured with the Orchestre national de Metz Grand Est.
This inaugural Cliburn season takes him to the Bravo! Vail and Sunriver Music Festivals; Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and Pacific, Topeka, and Springfield Symphony Orchestras, and in recitals throughout the United States.