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Youri Egorov

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For the Russian mathematician, see Yurii Egorov.
Youri Egorov

Youri Aleksandrovich Egorov (Russian: Юрий Александрович Егоров; 28 May 1954 – 16 April 1988) was a Soviet and Monegasque[1] classical pianist.

Early years

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Born in Kazan, USSR, Youri Egorov studied music at the Kazan Conservatory from the age of 6 until age 17. One of his early teachers was Irina Dubinina, a former pupil of Yakov Zak.[2]

At the age of 17, in 1971, Egorov took 4th Prize in Paris at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition. He next studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Yakov Zak.[3] Egorov remained at the Moscow Conservatory for six years. In 1974, Egorov won the Bronze Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. In 1975, he was awarded the 3rd Prize at the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium.

Defection and career in the West

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Egorov defected from the Soviet Union in 1976[4] while on a concert tour in Rome, Italy and travelled to Amsterdam where he was to meet Jan Brouwer (1947–1988), his long term partner.[5]

In 1977 Egorov participated in the Van Cliburn Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. He became an audience favorite. When he was not chosen as a finalist, a group of patrons and Cliburn board members formed an ad-hoc committee led by Cliburn trustee Beverley Taylor Smith and American impresario Maxim Gershunoff, which raised money equal to the Van Cliburn top prize of $10,000 to further Egorov's career by funding a New York debut. The South African Steven DeGroote took the first place award that year. Gershunoff as Egorov's American manager presented his New York recital debut in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on January 23, 1978. Three months later, he appeared in Chicago, Illinois and a critic there dubbed his performance "the debut of the decade." In July, 1978, Musical America Magazine selected Youri Egorov as their "Musician of the Month". He made his Carnegie Hall debut on December 16, 1978 once again under the aegis of Gershunoff. The concert was recorded live. Writing for The New York Times, Harold C. Schonberg said Egorov played "...in a free, romantic style, and his approach is quite different from that of so many competition winners."

In August 1979, two of Egorov's albums appeared on Billboard Magazine's Best-Selling Classical LP chart. Throughout the 1980s Egorov played primarily in Europe. His last American appearance was in Florida in 1986.

Egorov was featured in the book Great Contemporary Pianists Speak for Themselves compiled by Elyse Mach. In it, he spoke candidly on the topics of rehearsal, pre-concert nervousness, artistic restrictions in Russia, and homosexuality. Sviatoslav Richter, Dinu Lipatti, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Vladimir Horowitz and Glenn Gould are among the pianists Youri Egorov cited as having influenced him.

Death and legacy

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Egorov died at his home in Amsterdam aged 33 from complications of AIDS. At the time of his death 14 recordings of his had been commercially issued, and several more were awaiting release. He is buried alongside Jan Brouwer at Driehuis Velsen Crematorium, Driehuis, North Holland, Netherlands.

Parallels have been drawn between the playing styles of Youri Egorov and Dinu Lipatti. Additionally, both men gave their final concert performances at the age of 33, each knowing at the time that he was afflicted with a fatal illness and had but months to live.

In 1989 Egorov was the subject of a VPRO Television documentary, "Youri Egorov 1954–1988" by Eline Flipse Archived 2007-03-10 at the Wayback Machine. The program won the special prize of the jury at the BANFF-televisiefestival in Canada and was nominated in 1990 for the Prix Italia.

Egorov's posthumously released CD, "Legacy 2: Youri Egorov", received the "Perfect Five-Star Rating" from CD Review Magazine.

Today, this pianist remains "in the memory of more than one music lover for the incredible delicacy and clarity of his playing".[6]

Recordings

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Year Composer Work Recorded at CD, record or website
1974 Tchaikovsky The Seasons, Op. 37b (1875-1876) VARA Studio 1, Hilversum Radio 4 Concerthuis
1974 Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 75, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, conductor Roberto Benzi Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1974 Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43 Tchaikovsky Competition Moscow Melodiya MELCD1002349 (2015)
1975 Maes Piano Concerto No. 2, Symphonic Orchestra RTBF, conductor Irwin Hoffman Queen Elisabeth Music Competition BOZAR, Brussels Deutsche Grammophon 2530 602
1975 Schumann Carnaval, Op. 9 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition BOZAR, Brussels Deutsche Grammophon 2530 602
1976 Bach Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971 Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude and Fugue No. 13 in F-sharp major, BWV 857 CD Astoria Stereo DP 87001
1976 Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in B minor, BWV 869 CD Astoria Stereo DP 87001
1976 Chopin Etude in E Major, Op. 10, No. 3 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Chopin Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 (1868), Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, conductor Guido Ajmone-Marsan Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam LP Radio Nederland 90021/22
1976 Scarlatti Sonata in G major, K 125 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Scarlatti Sonata in D minor, K 32 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Scarlatti Sonata in A major, K 322 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Scarlatti Sonata in E major, K 380 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Scarlatti Sonata in F major, K 518 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1976 Scarlatti Sonata in B minor, K 87 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1978 Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Hans Vonk Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam NOS
1978 Bach Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 Carnegie Hall, New York EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Beethoven Choral Fantasy in C minor, Op. 80, Radio Filharmonic Orchestra, conductor Willem van Otterloo Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1978 Chopin Étude in E major Op. 10, No. 3 Carnegie Hall, New York EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Chopin Étude in G-flat major Op. 10, No. 5 'Black Keys' Carnegie Hall, New York EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Chopin Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 Carnegie Hall, New York EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Liszt La Campanella, S. 141 TV Studio, Baden-Baden Website Youri Egorov Foundation
1978 Mozart Fantasy in C minor KV 475 Carnegie Hall, New York EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Radio Filharmonic Orchestra, conductor Willem van Otterloo Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1978 Schumann Kreisleriana, Op. 16 Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Schumann Novelettes Op. 21, Nos. 1 and 8 Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1978 Bach Italian Concerto Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1978 Chopin Etudes, Op. 10: Nos. 1 & 3-6 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1978 Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in F minor, Op. 31 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1978 Mozart Fantasie in C minor, K. 475 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1978 Schumann Carnaval, Op. 9 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1978 Debussy Images Book 1 - Reflets dans l'eau Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1978 Liszt Paganini Etudes - La Campanella Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena First Hand Records FHR47D (2016)
1979 Chopin Études, Op. 10 and 25 New York Musical Heritage Society 4493
1979 Schumann Fantasy in C major, Op. 17 The Netherlands Globe GLO 6015
1979 Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23, Concertgebouw Orchestra, conductor Antal Doráti RAI, Amsterdam 'Beeld en Geluid' Archive (video)
1980 Bach Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 2 Canal Grande CG 9214
1980 Bartók Sonata (1926) Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 2 Canal Grande CG 9214
1980 Chopin Études, Op. 10 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 2 Canal Grande CG 9214
1980 Mozart Fantasy in C minor, K. 475 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA First Hand Records FHR 44 (2016)
1980 Schumann Fantasy in C major, OP. 17 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA First Hand Records FHR 44 (2016)
1980 Chopin 12 Etudes, Op. 25 Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA First Hand Records FHR 44 (2016)
1981 Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15, Utrecht Symphony Orchestra, conductor David Zinman Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam ET'CETERA KTC 1469
1981 Bartók Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano, Op. 21 (1923) Emmy Verhey, violin Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam MP3 Download
1981 Brahms Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 (1886/88) Emmy Verhey, violin Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam MP3 Download
1981 Chopin Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1981 Chopin Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1981 Chopin Nocturne in E minor, Op. Posth. Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1981 Chopin Nocturne in F-sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1981 Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1981 Haydn Sonata No. 33 in B-flat major Hoboken XVI/20 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 4 Canal Grande CG 9216
1981 Prokofiev Sonata No. 8 in B-flat major, Op. 84 (1939-1944) Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 3 Canal Grande CG 9215
1981 Schubert Violin Sonata in A major, D. 574 (1817), Emmy Verhey, violin Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam MP3 Download
1981 Schumann Papillons, Op. 2 Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1982 Beethoven Andante favori in F major Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 4 Canal Grande CG 9216
1982 Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor', Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1982 Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1982 Schubert Sonata in C minor, D. 958 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam ET'CETERA KTC 1468
1982 Schumann Carnaval, Op. 9 EMI Records Ltd. EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1982 Schumann Toccata in C major, Op. 7 EMI Records Ltd. EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1982 Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, Op. 21, Utrecht Symfony Orchestra, conductor David Zinman Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam ET'CETERA KTC 1469
1983 Brahms Intermezzo in A minor Op. 118, No. 1 TROS Philips Essential Recordings 464 375-2
1983 Brahms Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2 TROS Philips Essential Recordings 464 375-2
1983 Brahms Intermezzo in F minor Op. 118, No. 4 TROS Philips Essential Recordings 464 375-2
1983 Debussy Estampes (1903) Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1983 Debussy Images Book 1, Reflets dans l'eau Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1983 Debussy Préludes Books 1 & 2 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1983 Shostakovich Sonata No. 2, Op. 64 (1942) Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam Legacy 3 Canal Grande CG 9215
1983 Schumann Arabeske in C major, Op.18 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam DHR WH001 [2016, Limited Edition]
1983 Schumann Kreisleriana, Op.16 Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam. DHR WH001 [2016, Limited Edition]
1983 Debussy Préludes - Book I Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam. DHR WH001 [2016, Limited Edition]
1985 Mozart Piano Concerto No.17 in G Major, KV 453, Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1985 Mozart Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, KV 466, Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1985 Schumann Arabeske, Op. 18 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1985 Schumann Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 Abbey Road Studios, London EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5
1986 Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83, Nederlands Jeugd Symfonie Orkest, conductor Adam Gatehouse ET'CETERA KTC 1469
1986 Babadjanjan Bilder für Piano (1965) De IJsbreker, Amsterdam Legacy 3 Canal Grande CG 9215
1987 Beethoven Andante favori in F major VARA Studio 1, Hilversum Legacy 4 Canal Grande CG 9216
1987 Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34, Glinka Quartet Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam Radio 4 Concerthuis
1987 Ravel Miroirs (1905) De IJsbreker, Amsterdam ET'CETERA KTC 1520
1987 Schubert Piano Quintet in A major 'Trout Quintet', D. 667, Orlando Quartet Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam NCRV
1987 Schubert Six moments musicaux D. 780 Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam ET'CETERA KTC 1468
1988 Brahms 6 Pieces for piano, Op. 118 Private recording Website Youri Egorov Foundation

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brokken, Jan (October 2008). In het huis van de dichter (Second ed.). Amsterdam/Antwerpen: Uitgeverij Atlas. p. 129. ISBN 9789045014821.
  2. ^ Mach, Elyse. "Great Contemporary Pianists Speak for Themselves" Dover Publications 1991. Pg 46. (ISBN 0-486-26695-8)
  3. ^ Gershunoff, Maxim, and Leon Van Dyke. "It's Not All Song and Dance: A Life Behind the Scenes in the Performing Arts." Pompton Plains, N.J.: Limelight Editions, 2005. Pg 137-138. (ISBN 0-879-10310-8)
  4. ^ Rockwell, John (20 April 1988). "Youri Egorov, 33, a Soviet Pianist Who Defected to Further His Art". New York Times. p. 9. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
  5. ^ David Patrick Stearns (2008-08-19). "Recalling a pianist's fleeting brilliance". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E01. The combination of bad habits and sheltered existence perhaps explains why, on seeking political asylum during a tour in Italy, he cluelessly took his case to the Communist police. Somehow, he was treated sympathetically, and made his way to Amsterdam (a fine place for practicing bad habits), where he's said to have been discovered sleeping on a park bench by the man who later became his partner. Though Egorov's stated reasons for emigrating were political, they in fact had more to with sexual politics. Gay bashing wasn't a common term then, but muggings he described in Moscow more or less amounted to that.
  6. ^ Jean-Pierre Thiollet, 88 notes pour piano solo, "Solo nec plus ultra", Neva Editions, 2015, p. 54. ISBN 978 2 3505 5192 0.
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