NEW PALTZ — In 1997, by decree of the Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Valery Kuleshov was named Honored Artist of the Russian Federation – one of the highest distinctions bestowed upon an pianist. Mr. Kuleshov will bring his extraordinary talents to the PianoSummer Festival at the State University of New York at New Paltz in a recital featuring the works of Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Pletnev, Rachmaninoff, Wild and Horowitz on Saturday, July 21, at 8 p.m. in McKenna Theatre.
Valery Kuleshov is among the most brilliant virtuosos of the new generation. At age nine, Mr. Kuleshov made his concert debut on the stage of the Moscow Conservatory Great Hall. Since then, he has studied with the world’s most acclaimed musicians creating the foundation for a spectacular international performance career.
Mr. Kuleshov’s biography is highlighted with such awards and accolades as the first prize winner at the Pro Piano International Competition in New York, a silver medal, second prize and special prize winner for the Best Performance of a Commissioned Work at the Ninth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition; and two awards including a gold medal at the Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy.
He has performed in the world’s best concert halls including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Milan Conservatory, Moscow Conservatory, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Great Hall, as well as major music festivals.
Mr. Kuleshov’s recordings have been released for Melodiya, JVC Victor, MCA Classic, Philips, Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, Bel Air Music and BIS.
The evening’s program includes:
Schumann, Three Romances, Op. 28
Tchaikovsky/Pletnev, Concert Suite from the ballet The Sleeping Beauty
Rachmaninoff/Wild, 8 Romances
Horowitz, Variations on a Theme from Bizet’s Carmen
Tickets for this special performance are $27 general reserved, $22 reserved senior/student/staff, available at the campus Box Office by calling (845) 257-3880, Monday thru Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or on line at www.newpaltz.edu/piano
