JRB: Tell a little about yourself.

ER: I was born in Tashkent in a family of musicians, my father being a violinist and my mother – a piano teacher. Music was always in our household and I heard a lot of music and sang simple songs while still a very young child which my father recorded on paper and these sheets of music I keep to this day. I took my first piano lessons from Ms. Sazhina when I was 5 years old, then continued with Ms. Vasinkina, (a teacher of the 2001 'Cliburn' 1st Prize winner Stanislav Ioudenitch) both in Tashkent and later in Moscow at the 'Gnessin' school and Academy (class of V.Tropp). In 1999 I moved to Germany where I was incredibly lucky to be brought to the attention of Prof. Lev Natochenny, himself a 'Busoni' Competition winner and a former student of Lev Oborin at the Moscow Conservatory. Since 1999 I am a member of the celebrated masters class of Prof. Lev Natochenny at the Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt am Main. My work with Prof. Natochenny became really the turning point in my understanding of Music and the emotional and intellectual power it can transcend.

Naturally, my mother tongue is Russian, that helped me to better understand my 'German' professor since he speaks Russian too, but I also learned German in four years living there and now I am seriously planning to adding English since I feel that it is absolutely necessary for me.

JRB: Tell me please about your Leeds experience and preparation.

ER: The Leeds Competition is not the first one for me. I had competition successes already back in Russia and then, much later, in Italy where I took top prizes in “Citta di Cantu” International Competition and made the finals of the “Casagrande” International Competition in Terni. But I must admit that nowhere have I experienced such great organization as in Leeds! I met many wonderful, warm, hospitable people many of who became my friends. The practice instruments as well as the instruments on both stages were simply superb, always professionally well prepared and available.

People took the competition and the competitors very seriously and very close to their hearts. They suffered our losses and celebrated our successes together with us. This gave me unprecedented emotional and practical support without which it would be simply impossible to compete in such a difficult and stressful event as Leeds Competition turned out to be this year. I was deeply touched by peoples' participation in the event, by warmth and attention of Dr. Waterman, all volunteers and, of course, the exceptional Leeds audiences. This was an unforgettable experience for me.

As far as preparation for the Leeds Competition goes, I chose the celebrated and world renowned music festival MERANOFEST as a platform. Meranofest is a festival and a premiere summer piano academy in Merano, in the Italian Alps which is famous not only for producing competition winners but, most importantly, for a perfect atmosphere and conditions for creative work and preparation for international competitions and concert engagements. I attended the Meranofest academy for the last three summers and felt quite well prepared for the Leeds Competition. I had the opportunity to work with my own professor Mr. Lev Natochenny as well as partake in master classes of other celebrated musicians who come to Meranofest such as Sergio Perticaroli, Eugen Indjic, Alexei Lubimov and many others, to absorb other influences and to hear different points of view. This was one of the most important vehicles in my preparation for the Leeds. The result speaks for itself.

JRB: Do you compose?

ER: As a child I really did and quite a bit. I composed many songs and other small things which my father would write down for me. Later I even wanted to learn composition but these plans were not to be realized. I pursued piano studies instead.

JRB: Would you like to say something to our readers at the conclusion of our conversation?

ER: I would like to take this opportunity through the "Classical Music" publication to thank from the very bottom of my heart all those people who were so dedicated to Music and worked virtually around the clock to make the whole operation run so smoothly and efficiently, making all of us feel literally pampered which is so important for every contestant at the time of the utmost emotional and physical stress of such a world class Piano Competition as Leeds is. Thank you all very, very much! None of us could have done this without your kindness, dedication and love for young people and for Music. Thank you.

I would only like to add, Mr. Brown, that I appreciate very much your personal attention and your belief in my ability and my talent. I will try to live up to your expectation and the expectation of the Leeds Competition and the top honor I have been bestowed upon by it.