"I have a long-standing, still unbroken love to Bechstein instruments: since my student days, the Bechstein grand piano has steadily been my ´home instrument`. I always enjoyed the marvellous, clear and eloquent sound of the Bechstein in several concert halls."
Alexei Lubimov
The Moscow-born pianist Alexei Lubimov is one of the most remarkable musicians of our times. His vast repertoire combined with his dedication to principles and musical values makes him a remarkable and outstanding musician in present day's music scene. During his studies at the Moscow Conservatory with Heinrich Neuhaus, he developed a dual passion for baroque music on period instruments and for 20th century composers such as Schoenberg, Webern, Stockhausen, Boulez, Ives and Ligeti, as well as for Schnittke, Gubaidulina, Silvestrov, Ustvolskaya and Pärt. Alexei Lubimov played the Soviet premieres of many of these composers' works and founded the music festival “Alternativa”, where these works are performed. In the 1970s, the pianist was prevented from travelling outside the Soviet Union for several years. During this time, in addition to the classical and romantic repertoire, he became increasingly involved with historical instruments and authentic performance practices and founded both the Moscow Baroque Quartet and, together with Tatiana Grindenko, the Moscow Chamber Academy.
When the political restrictions in Russia were lifted in the 1980s, Alexei Lubimov was accepted to make part of the first rank of international pianists and gave concerts in Europe, North America and Japan. He has worked with conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Christopher Hogwood, Neeme Järvi, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Roger Norrington and Marek Janowski and has played with some of the world´s most famous orchestras such as the Helsinki, Israel, Munich, St. Petersburg and Los Angeles Philharmonics, followed by the Royal Philharmonic in London, the Russian National Orchestra, the Orchestre Phil. de Radio France, the Deutsches Symphonieorchester Berlin and the Toronto Symphony. He has performed with historical pianos with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Collegium Vocale Gent, the Wiener Akademie and Concerto Köln. He regularly performs in chamber music ensembles at international festivals with famous soloists and ensembles.
"I have a long-standing, unbroken love affair with Bechstein instruments: since my student days, a Bechstein grand piano has always served as my home instrument. I enjoyed the marvellous, clear and eloquent sound of the Bechstein in several concert halls. My deep involvement with historical keyboard instruments has led to another special appreciation: I have played and recorded on several restored 19th century Bechstein grand pianos, including works by Debussy and Satie (ECM, Alpha, Passacaille labels)."
Photo: © Anneliese Goldmann
