September 2018 is sure to bring excitement to Classical Music lovers in Kansas City. Two world-class artists,’ Russian pianist Vladimir Viardo and Uzbekistani pianist Behzod Abduraimov, are appearing within one week of each other as part of Park ICM’s series of concerts.
Russian pianist Vladimir Viardo has had an exciting career. Since his victory and Gold Medal at the Fourth Van Cliburn International Competition in 1973, Viardo has received the admiration of the public and his peers alike. Praised for his extraordinary musicianship, he has inspired many musicians throughout the world. After his gold medal, he played with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, the Moscow Philharmonic, the Leningrad Philharmonic, the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, the Prague Philharmonic, and many others.
In the early stages of his career, however, Viardo, along with other Russian musicians, experienced the effects of the travel restrictions set by the Iron Curtain. Though his international career was slowed down, the restriction of travel only made Viardo focus harder on his work. He continued to build his name and his performance repertoire, developing command of more than 37 concertos. Once the Iron Curtain was lifted, Viardo was able to bring his talent to music lovers everywhere. His concert tours have taken him around the world appearing in America, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, Israel, Central and South America as a soloist with some of the best conductors in the world.
In 1989 the North Texas College of Music selected Viardo to its renowned staff. His students are from all over the world, and under his tutelage, many are competition winners themselves. His philosophy of teaching earned him a spot in Benjamin Saver’s The Most Wanted Piano Teachers in the USA. Vladimir Viardo, will be performing at the 1900 Building at 7:30 p.m. on September 21, 2018. Visit 1900bldg.com for tickets.
Park ICM Alumni and Artist In Residence, Behzod Abduraimov, has made quite an impact on the international music scene in his young life. Described by The New York Times as the “master of all he surveys,” the 27-year-old from Tashkent showed he is a force to be reckoned with after stepping in on short notice in 2014 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. This summer, the Los Angeles Philharmonic called once again to fill in for a Hollywood Bowl performance and his performance was so profound that even the rapper Snoop Dogg gave him praise.
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 1990, Abduraimov began studying piano at the age of five as a pupil of Tamara Popovich at Uspensky State Central Lyceum. At the age of 15, he began to study with Stanislav Ioudentich, Park ICM Founder and Gold Medal Winner of the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Abduraimov won the London International Piano Competition in 2009 at the age of 18 and his career skyrocketed. Abduraimov, continues to give captivating performances and receive international praise everywhere he goes. In recent seasons, Abduraimov has worked with both the leading orchestras and with the most prestigious conductors of the world.
Along with his fame as an awe-inspiring pianist, Abduraimov is also an award-winning recording artist. Behzod released his first concert disc in 2014 on Decca Classics that features Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3 and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1. Don’t miss Behzod Abduraimov with the Park ICM Orchestra, September 28, 2018, 7:30 p.m., Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the beautiful Park University campus. Tickets at icm.park.edu/events-performances.
