Bio
Mikhail Mordvinov was born April 1977 into an old Moscow family of intellectuals and engineers. At age 6 he began taking music lessons at a local arts centre, but several months later he was admitted to the Gnessin School of Music where he studied for more than ten years with Tatiana Zelikman. After graduating in 1994, he continued studies at the Gnessin Academy of Music under Vladimir Tropp, finishing in 1999 with the highest honours. From 1999 to 2003 he lived in Hanover, Germany, pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Music and Drama under Bernd Goetzke.
In 2004, Mordvinov became an assistant professor at the Gnessin Academy of Music. He has also been awarded a number of scholarships, including the President of Russia Award (1996-98), the G. Neuhaus Award by the Rostropovich Fund (1997), and the German Academic Exchange Service Award (2000-01). He began performing at an early age, with appearances in Moscow and nearby cities. Two first prizes, at the 12th Schumann Competition in Zwickau (1996) and the 6th Schubert Competition in Dortmund (1997), propelled him onto the international stage and the opportunity to record. In 1998 he recorded his first solo CD, featuring works by Schubert and Rachmaninoff. He currently makes about 50 appearances a year in recitals, orchestral concerts and chamber music, mostly in Europe. His performing style shows a great affinity with the romantic school of the great piano masters of the first half of the 19th century. His repertoire consists mainly of works by the Viennese classic and romantic composers, but also includes baroque and contemporary music with a special emphasis on chamber music.
During his student years, professors and famous professionals took notice of Mordvinov. “Mikhail Mordvinov is an excellent pianist, and a thoughtful musician,” said Valentin Berlinsky, professor of the Moscow Conservatory. Mordvinov has also been awarded a number of scholarships, including the President of Russia Award (1996-98), the G. Neuhaus Award by the Rostropovich Fund (1997), and the German Academic Exchange Service Award (2000-2001).
He began performing at an early age. His first solo concert was in 1992, and in 1993 he had his first concert abroad. Since then, he regularly makes appearances in Moscow and other Russian cities; for instance, in 2008/2009, he had more than 30 concerts from Moscow to Chita, as well as in Europe, Japan, Korea and the USA. Two first prizes — one at the 12th Schumann Competition in Zwickau (1996) and the other at the Sixth Schubert Competition in Dortmund (1997) — propelled him onto the international stage and the opportunity to record. In 1998 he recorded his first solo CD, featuring works by Schubert and Rachmaninoff.
His other awards and distinctions include a special prize at the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris (2001); laureate of the Franz Schubert and Modern Music competition in Graz (2003); laureate at the A.M.A. Calabria at Lamezia Terme (2004); laureate at the Rina Sala Gallo at Monza, Italy (2004); laureate at the Piano-e-competition at Minneapolis (2006). Also in 2006, he won the international competition in the Principality of Andorra. “Mikhail Mordvinov differs greatly from other pianists of his generation with his natural musical ability, simplicity, and depth,” said Vladimir Tropp, professor at the Moscow Conservatory, and deputy head of the piano department at the Gnessin Academy. “Both his natural and acquired ability is based on his intuition, as well as the education he received that flows from Russian piano traditions. Mordvinov is one of the most promising Moscow musicians.”
In 2000, Mordvinov became a soloist at the Moscow State Academy Philharmonic, and in 2004 he became an assistant professor at the Gnessin Academy of Music. His performing style shows a great affinity with the romantic school of the piano masters of the first half of the 19th century. His repertoire consists mainly of works by the Viennese classic and romantic composers, but also includes baroque and modern music with a special emphasis on chamber music. These include works by Bethoven, Schubert, Schuman, Chopin, Brahms, Lizt, Chaikovsky, Scriabin, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff.