Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev, with many awards and honors to his credit, continues to astound and mesmerize audiences at major venues on three continents. He made his San Francisco Symphony debut in 2007 with Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, performing Prokofiev's First and Fourth Piano Concertos as part of the Symphony's Prokofiev Festival. His performances were included in the top ten classical music events of the year by the San Francisco Chronicle, and prompted a return to the Symphony in September 2009 with Maestro Tilson Thomas performing Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto.
The highlights of Mr. Yakushev's 2013-14 season included return appearances with the Des Moines Symphony, Las Cruces Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony, and Utah Symphony. He also performed with the Anchorage Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, Klassika Orchestra, El Camino Youth Symphony, California Symphony, and New Haven Symphony. Mr. Yakushev also appeared as recitalist at the Mariinsky Concert Hall, International Keyboard Institute & Festival, and Maverick Series.
In February 2014, British label Nimbus Records published Mr. Yakushev's Prokofiev by Yakushev Vol. 1 CD. American Record Guide wrote “Yakushev is one of the very best young pianists before the public today, and it doesn't seem to matter what repertoire he plays — it is all of the highest caliber”.
Engagements in 2014-15 season include appearances with the La Crosse Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony, Pensacola Symphony, and Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
In past seasons, Mr. Yakushev has performed in various prestigious venues worldwide, including Glinka Philharmonic Hall (St. Petersburg), Victoria Hall (Singapore), Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York), Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco), and Sejong Performing Arts Center (Seoul, Korea). His performances with orchestra include those with the Kirov Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Boston Pops, Syracuse Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Arkansas Symphony and others.
Winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition which took place in Cincinnati, OH, Mr. Yakushev received his first award at age 12 as a prizewinner of the Young Artists Concerto Competition in his native St. Petersburg. In 1997, he received the Mayor of St. Petersburg's Young Talents award, and in both 1997 and 1998, he won First Prize at the Donostia Hiria International Piano Competition in San Sebastian, Spain. In 1998, he received a national honor, The Award for Excellence in Performance, presented to him by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation in Moscow. Most recently, Mr. Yakushev became a recipient of the prestigious Gawon International Music Society's Award in Seoul, Korea.
Mr. Yakushev attended the Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music in his native St. Petersburg, Russia and subsequently came to New York City to attend Mannes College of Music where he studied with legendary pianist Vladimir Feltsman.
Since 2002, Mr. Yakushev has served as Executive Director of the International Keyboard Institute and Festival at the Mannes College in New York City.
Ilya Yakushev is a Yamaha artist.
