Sergey Kuznetsov

The Russian-born pianist and music pedagogue, Sergey [Sergei] Kuznetsov, was born to a family of musicians and started his musical education at the age of 5 at the Moscow Special Gnessin School of Music (Music School affiliated to the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire), and in 1998 was admitted to the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire to the class of an outstanding professor Mikail Voskresensky, graduating in 2001 with distinction. Since 2001, Sergey perfected his performing skills at postgraduate courses with Oleg Maisenberg in Vienna University of Music and, since 2003, at Moscow Conservatory with Mikhail Voskresensky. In 2003 he was awarded his Diploma with High Distinction. In 2002 Sergey received the prestigious Lili Kraus Scholarship at TCU (Fort Worth, Texas) and commenced his Artist Diploma studies with Professor Tamás Ungár. After winning a conspicuous scholarship, Sergey was widening his education under the guidance of Joaquín Achúcarro at Dallas Southern Methodist University. Currently, Sergey is a DMA (Doctorate Degree) student at University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles under the guidance of a legendary professor Daniel Pollack (Piano). Sergey also studies composition and electro acoustic media at USC.

In 1999, Sergey Kuznetsov received First Prize at the A.M.A. Calabria International Competition (Italy); in 2000, he became a laureate of the Alicia de Larrocha Competition in Andorra. In 2003, he won Second Prize at the 9th International Geza Anda Competition in Zürich, as well as the Audience Prize and an engagement to perform at the Lucerne International Festival. In the summer of 2005, he was awarded Second Prize at the renowned Cleveland International Piano Competition, and in November 2006, he won Second Prize at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan. Other notable events included winning international prizes at China International Piano Competition (Beijing, 2004), Hilton Head International Piano competition (USA, 2003), Esther Honens International Piano Competition (special prize, Calgary, Canada, 2003), Caltanissetta International Competition (Italy, 1999), International Piano Competition in Houston, Texas (2005).

Sergey Kuznetsov has performed extensively throughout the world, both as soloist and chamber musician. He has gained success performing in Russia, Spain, Great Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, USA, Japan, Cyprus and in the Netherlands. He works with such collectives as the Shostakovich String Quartet, Ysaye String Quartet, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio, Cleveland Orchestra, Ferenc Liszt Chamber Orchestra, Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Winterthur Orchestra, Berliner Symphoniker and Münchner Symphoniker and such conductors as Janos Furst, Misha Damev, Nikolay Alexeev, Theodor Guschlbauer, Volker Schmidt-Gertenbach, Jahja Ling, Georg Schmohe and Walter Weller. After winning the 3rd China International Piano competition, Sergey Kuznetsov has become a frequent performer in China. He has performed as a soloist with Beijing Symphony, Shenzhen Symphony and Taipei Symphony orchestras. He was invited to make studio recording for a young artist program in the Radio & Television (CCTV) in Shenzhen.

Sergey Kuznetsov cooperates with prominent artistic agencies such as KD Schmid Hanover, Pro Arte Frankfurt and participates in numerous International Music Festivals such as those in Kyoto and Yokohama (Japan), Cyprus, Merano (Italy), Zürich and Lucerne Festivals, Ernen Musikfestspiele, Bodensee Festival, Irina Arkhipova Festival, Musical Olympus (Russia) and Lockehnhaus Festival (Austria).

Since 2006, Sergey Kuznetsov has been working as an assistant at the Moscow Conservatory. He also works as a Teaching Assistant at University of Southern California and organizes successful chamber music ensembles and projects at USC. In August 2008 his trio XYZ has toured France and collaborated with a number of famous French musicians.

During his studies in the USA, Sergey Kuznetsov has always enjoyed teaching and advocating classical music amongst various groups of people. In 2003 he organized series of educational projects in collaboration with Van Cliburn Foundation. The mission was to bring classical music to children whose parents can’t afford education. The project had become so popular in Texas that Sergey had to travel around the state with his lectures and concerts. In 2005-2007 he worked as a Teaching Assistant in Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Several of his students have won national and international prizes that supported their way towards studies in music. Sergey’s approach in piano pedagogy is to show his students how great and large the world of music actually is. His knowledge of piano repertoire is impressive after taking a special advanced piano repertoire course at USC. He uses methods and books published in Russia, Europe and the United States, incorporating music theory, technique exercises, ear training and composition into his lessons. Sergey is a member of MTAC and MTNA.

His performances have been broadcast on German-language Swiss Radio (DRS2), French-language Swiss Radio (RSR Espace 2), Radio France, Czech Music Radio, WCLV, WQXR (USA), Orpheus Radio Russia, Serbian Radio and TV and MEZZO TV. In 2002, Sergey recorded a CD for Classical Records with works by Johannes Brahms, Franz Liszt and Scriabin. Another CD with works by Schumann and J. Brahms was released in 2007.