Park ICM Alumnus and award-winning pianist, Behzod Abduraimov, with his mentor, Stanislav Ioudenitch.
On Friday, September 20, Kansas City is in for a real treat. Two of Park International Center for Music’s (ICM’s) renowned success stories are coming back to celebrate their alma mater. Behzod Abduraimov, piano, and Shah Sadikov, conductor, will take the stage together at The Folly Theater, performing with the Park ICM and the NAVO Chamber Orchestras. This unique partnership brings together the students and alums of the ICM with the professionals of NAVO, exhibiting a rich tapestry of talent and combining for one exciting evening of music.
Called “the most perfectly accomplished pianist of his generation,” Behzod Abduraimov came to Parkville, Missouri, in the early years of Park University’s ICM to train with founder and Artistic Director Stanislav loudenitch. After winning the gold medal at the London International Piano Competition and following his debut success at Carnegie Hall in 2015, Abduraimov became an award-winning recording artist and today is in demand as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide. He is now Artist-in-Residence at Park ICM, promoting the incredible success of Park ICM everywhere he goes. “It was the best decision I ever made,” says Abduraimov. “I had offers for other schools, but I chose to come study with Stanislav.
And it changed my life.”
“Behzod and I went to the same school (Uspensky
Central Music School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where Stanislav loudenitch also trained),” said Shah Sadikov,
“so I know him since he was 6 years old! I vividly remember him playing with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan where I used to work despite my young age.
I was a good violist and they let me join the best orchestra of the country already then. In fact, that’s where my love
for orchestral music and conducting started.”
An adamant believer in the power of music to unite and inspire, Shokhrukh (Shah) Sadikov is one of the most driven young conductors of his generation. From concert halls to classrooms, Sadikov leads an engaged career as a conductor, violist, researcher, and music educator. His work with numerous organizations and advocacy of access to the “arts-for-all” stands as a testimony to his belief. In 2015, Mr. Sadikov co-founded a non-profit arts organization, NAVO Inc. (navoarts.com), whose mission is to create unique programs that challenge, entertain, and enrich the lives of underserved communities in the Midwest. He is today a conductor in demand as this past season he has conducted the Baltimore Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and the Hamburg Symphony orchestras, among others. Sadikov originally came to Park ICM in 2008 pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Viola Performance.
Abduraimov and Sadikov are both excited about returning to Park ICM. “I can hardly wait to return to my beloved Kansas City and alma mater,” said Sadikov. “This occasion is especially meaningful and special for me. Sharing the stage with superstar artist Behzod Abduraimov, who is also my dearest and oldest friend, will make the music-making process and the concert an undoubtedly memorable experience for us all.
