Alexander Kobrin Joins Yamaha Artist Roster
BUENA PARK, Calif. Wherever Vladimir Horowitz played, throughout his long career, he always made sure that a portrait of Franz Liszt adorned his dressing room.
Alexander Kobrin, though, takes a different approach to preparing his décor. "Horowitz didn't have a laptop," he explains. "I do and I always make sure it's showing a picture of my son, to inspire me and remind me that I have a home to come back to."
Think of that digital photo of his son, who turned one-year old last October, as a beloved anachronism, for in almost every other respect, and particularly in his philosophy of performance, the 2005 Van Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist subscribes to older values.
Kobrin's manner onstage is dignified and businesslike. He believes, in the end, in nothing but the music, and in bringing its passion to life as a service to both the composer and the audience. He is, in other words, old-school all the way, as his interpretations of classic repertoire attest.
It was the 2005 Van Cliburn Piano Competition that elevated Kobrin to the front rank among the pianists of his generation and stirred critical acclaim for his "gorgeous, glowing tone," "sparkling virtuoso display," and "intelligence and intensity." For Kobrin, though, the event meant even more than that, given the role that Van Cliburn himself has played in his life.
"To hear his recordings, to learn about him, and then to finally meet him, it was unbelievable," Kobrin says. "I see him as the very last example of that wonderful generation of pianists from the past century, which has unfortunately passed almost completely away. They were the best, and they still inspire me."
Tradition was the foundation of Kobrin's music from the start. Born in Moscow, he is the son of a piano teacher, who took note of the boy's sunny demeanor whenever music was played at home. At age five Alexander began studying with Tatiana Zelikman at the Gnessin Special Music School. Three years later he made his debut with Bach's Concerto in F Minor, following a year later with a performance of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1. And then, after taking first prize at the International Stage of Talents in Oslo, at age 14, he acquired his first Yamaha piano a small grand, able to fit into his bedroom.
With that, the long acquaintance between Kobrin and Yamaha began. At competitions he met company representatives and technicians. "I came to understand that Yamaha is ahead of all the other brands as far as taking care of its pianos. Also, personally, I grew to love the Yamaha piano: the sound, the touch, the aftertouch, and everything else. So finally I thought, 'Why shouldn't I make this friendship official?'" Thus, in September 2006, Kobrin joined the roster of Yamaha artists.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-9011, or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.
 At age 14, Kobrin acquired his first Yamaha piano a small grand, able to fit into his bedroom. |
Think of that digital photo of his son, who turned one-year old last October, as a beloved anachronism, for in almost every other respect, and particularly in his philosophy of performance, the 2005 Van Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist subscribes to older values.
Kobrin's manner onstage is dignified and businesslike. He believes, in the end, in nothing but the music, and in bringing its passion to life as a service to both the composer and the audience. He is, in other words, old-school all the way, as his interpretations of classic repertoire attest.
It was the 2005 Van Cliburn Piano Competition that elevated Kobrin to the front rank among the pianists of his generation and stirred critical acclaim for his "gorgeous, glowing tone," "sparkling virtuoso display," and "intelligence and intensity." For Kobrin, though, the event meant even more than that, given the role that Van Cliburn himself has played in his life.
"To hear his recordings, to learn about him, and then to finally meet him, it was unbelievable," Kobrin says. "I see him as the very last example of that wonderful generation of pianists from the past century, which has unfortunately passed almost completely away. They were the best, and they still inspire me."
Tradition was the foundation of Kobrin's music from the start. Born in Moscow, he is the son of a piano teacher, who took note of the boy's sunny demeanor whenever music was played at home. At age five Alexander began studying with Tatiana Zelikman at the Gnessin Special Music School. Three years later he made his debut with Bach's Concerto in F Minor, following a year later with a performance of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1. And then, after taking first prize at the International Stage of Talents in Oslo, at age 14, he acquired his first Yamaha piano a small grand, able to fit into his bedroom.
With that, the long acquaintance between Kobrin and Yamaha began. At competitions he met company representatives and technicians. "I came to understand that Yamaha is ahead of all the other brands as far as taking care of its pianos. Also, personally, I grew to love the Yamaha piano: the sound, the touch, the aftertouch, and everything else. So finally I thought, 'Why shouldn't I make this friendship official?'" Thus, in September 2006, Kobrin joined the roster of Yamaha artists.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-9011, or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.