Russian Pianist Gives Concert in Washington

Renown Russian pianist Nikita Galaktionov performed a first concert at the residence of the Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak in the heart of Washington on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) —The performance included the music of great Russian composers, including Anton Rubinstein, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Alexander Scriabin, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Galaktionov’s teacher, prominent artist Russia Arkady Sevidov, came to Washington on Thursday to perform with his student.

The concert in the US capital comes after Galaktionov’s performance in New York City’s Carnegie Hall on December 3, where he performed with his friend, pianist Azamat Sydykov, currently living in the United States.

Talking about his experience at Carnegie Hall, Galaktionov told Sputnik that the venue was filled to capacity and although Russian classical music might seem unusual to the American public he and Sydykov were received very warmly.

"Excellent room with excellent acoustics," Galaktionov told Sputnik. “The instrument was wonderful, as well as the atmosphere. You feel yourself in the center of the art of music there. I had a feeling that all my thoughts were open to the audience."

Galaktionov told Sputnik that he is leaving the country on Friday but plans to come back to the United States with new concerts.

The Washington concert was organized by the Russian Embassy, the American Association of Russian Women, as well as the Central Musical School of the Moscow Conservatory.