Ilya Itin

Pianist

"I'd go and hear him play the phone book"

— BBC TV

Since winning all the major prizes of the renowned Leeds International Pianoforte Competition in 1996 Russian born Ilya Itin's consummate pianism has delighted audiences on four continents. He has been praised for "his rare and exciting artistry" and "superb technique" (Daily Telegraph UK).

His performance in the final of the Leeds led to an invitation to perform Rachmaninov's Concerto # 3 with Sir Simon Rattle on his farewell tour of Europe with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. "The perfect pianist Ilya Itin succeeded in transforming the romantic revelry of Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano concerto into rhythmic force and compactness" (Der Standard Wien).

In recent seasons his wide ranging recital and concerto repertoire from Bach to Messiaen has been applauded throughout Europe, the Americas and in Asia performing with orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Prague Symphony, St.Petersburg Philharmonic and Tokyo Philharmonic. He has collaborated with such conductors as Atherton, Hickox, Jarvi, Kreizberg, Maksymiuk, Pletnev and Tovey. International festivals from Aldeburgh to Tel Aviv and Toulouse, diverse broadcasts and master classes have been included in his schedule.

During this period he has been performing throughout the USA; touring with the Jerusalem Camerata, performing at the Kennedy Center Washington "A delicious and rare talent" (Washington Post) and the Lincoln Center New York as well as major festivals from Miami Festival of Discovery and Beethoven on the Beach, both in Florida, to Mainly Mozart Festival in California. Last year he made his conducting debut in Costa Rica with the Chamber Orchestra of Uppsala in a much admired performance of 1st Piano Concerto by Shostakovich as well as his debut at Theatre des Champs Elysees Paris. "He plays marvelously with all his body and his soul: a very great pianist and musician" (Le Figaro).

Forthcoming engagements include Miami International Piano Festival and Lecce Festival in Italy where he will be performing and recording Rachmaninov for VAI. Other recordings include a CD and video (which was broadcast on PBS) of 2000 Miami International Piano Festival of Discovery Born in Ekaterinburg, Ilya Itin studied from the age of five with Natalia Litvinova at the Sverdlovsk Music School for gifted children. He graduated the Moscow Tchaikovsky Consevatory where his teacher was Lev Naumov. He is working with Edna Golandsky and has been a grateful recipient of support from Patrons of Exceptional Artists.