The Cleveland International Piano Competition is proud to present its 2007 first-prize winner, Alexander Ghindin, in his New York recital debut on December 3, 2007 at 7:30 PM in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.

Alexander Ghindin dazzled the crowds at the 2007 Competition with notable performances of Stravinsky's Trois Mouvements de Pétrouchka, Liszt's Sonata in B Minor, and Schumann's Kinderszenen. In addition to these works, Mr. Ghindin performs the US Premiere of Rodion Shchedrin's Sonatine Concertante.

A prolific composer and virtuoso pianist, Russian-born Rodion Shchedrin is a member of the Berlin Academy of Arts, was awarded the Russian State Prize for his liturgical work The Sealed Angel and presided over the Russian Federation of Composers, a position previously held by Dmitri Shostakovich. Mr. Shchedrin composed Sonatine for Alexander Ghindin to premiere in 2005 during birthday celebrations for the composer's wife, Maya Pletiskaya, former Prima Ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet.

From the opening rounds of the Cleveland Competition the 30-year old Ghindin was the clear favorite, as Donald Rosenberg stated in his review for The Plain Dealer, "A full week before he won first prize in the 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition...Russia's Alexander Ghindin leapt to the front of the piano pack." In front of an appreciative audience at Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ghindin clinched his 2007 win playing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 3 with the renowned Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Jahja Ling.

About Alexander Ghindin
Alexander Ghindin rose to international attention when, at 14, he captured fourth place, and became the youngest winner ever, at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1994. He later joined the Moscow State Philharmonic as soloist in 1999, and has performed in his native Russia, as well as in Europe, Japan and North America. Alexander Ghindin has appeared with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London and Munich Philharmonic; Freiberg, Montpellier, Rotterdam, and Russian National Orchestras; the Swedish Royal Festival Orchestra; Monte-Carlo, Liège, New Japan, and Luxembourg Philharmonics; Moscow Virtuosi; Israel Chamber Orchestra; and the St. Petersburg Camerata among others. He has also worked with many notable conductors including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Alan Gilbert, Paavo Järvi and Leonard Slatkin.

Alexander Ghindin has over 15 recordings to his credit including Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos No. 1 and 4 with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra led by Vladimir Ashkenazy on the Ondine label; and two recordings for Capriccio: Brahms, Violin Sonatas with Vladimir Spivakov, violin, and a Tribute to Alfred Schnittke, Moscow Virtuosi, Vladimir Spivakov, conductor.

Mr. Ghindin's 2007-2008 season includes performances with the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Luxembourg Philharmonic, Monaco Philharmonic, Musica Viva Orchestra, Moscow Virtuosi and Russian National Orchestra, as well as recital appearances in France, Poland, Russia and the United States.

In 2001, Alexander Ghindin graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory where he studied with Professor M.S. Voskrensky.

About the Cleveland International Piano Competition
Since its inception in 1975 the Cleveland International Piano Competition has drawn a loyal following, growing in size, stature, and visibility. The impeccable reputation of the Competition attracts a field of more than 200 applicants from around the world and places Cleveland in the top echelon of music competitions. Since 2003 the Competition's four finalists have performed their concerto rounds with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall. It is the only piano competition in the world to draw such a distinguished orchestra for its final rounds. The Competition's Mixon First Prize, named in honor of its sponsors Mr. and Mrs. A. Malachi Mixon, is the largest cash offered by any major piano competition in the world at $50, 000. The first-prize winner is also provided with a series of engagements under the auspices of the Competition, two years of management service, and a compact disc recording on the Naxos label.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007 at 7:30pm
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
Alexander Ghindin, pianist

ROBERT SCHUMANN: Kinderszenen, Op. 15

RODION SHCHEDRIN (b. 1932): Sonatine Concertante (2005)--US PREMIERE

IGOR STRAVINKSY: Trois Mouvements de Pétrouchka

FRANZ LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or online at www.carnegiehall.org.