On My American Tour

I’ve just completed my long awaited American tour. These concerts were postponed, because in January I fell ill with pneumonia. For me it is, of course, was a shock, because I was forced to reschedule concerts for the first time in my life. I love concert halls both in Washington and in New York, I love American public. And I was absolutely frustrated also because I knew that all tickets were sold out, I knew that people were waiting for these concerts. I would like to linger round the solo concert at the legendary Carnegie Hall. When people say "legendary halls", this is just about the Carnegie Hall, it was opened by P.I. Tchaikovsky. And Rachmaninoff has performed more than a hundred concerts on this scene. Carnegie Hall is a landmark place for any musician, and, of course, every appearance on this stage is a huge responsibility and a unique pleasure. My debut album was a recording of a concert from Carnegie Hall. I have over two dozen performances here, and each time I feel awe. This year my friend, Executive and artistic Director of Carnegie Hall, Sir Clive Gillinson invited me to take part in the three concerts of a series "Carnegie Hall presents". This concert was part of a series "Keyboard Virtuosos", in which I found myself in the company of wonderful musicians performing at Carnegie Hall during this musical season. I thought over the program for this concert really thoroughly, as I was aware of all the responsibility to the American public, which I love and good attitude of which I cherish. The atmosphere at the concert itself was fascinating; I was got a lot of positive energy and emotions from the audience. As it happens all the time after the concerts in Carnegie Hall, I got a lot of enemies. Tickets for the concert were sold out, so not all comers were lucky to get them. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about it. In Russia, knowing how it is important for many people to come to classic music concerts, I always manage to solve the problem with tickets somehow (to get tickets to the gallery or just put the chairs on the stage that happens more and more often recently). Unfortunately, it is impossible variant for Carnegie Hall, because of the traditions and original peculiarities of the hall. Therefore, those who has not got to the concert this time, I solemnly promise to inform you about the dates of future concerts in Carnegie Hall, which will take place in January 2015, where you all are invited. Once again I would like to thank the administration of Carnegie Hall and New York public for the incredible emotions and warm welcome! I convey my greetings to all, I am now in Luxembourg, tomorrow - Paris, the day after tomorrow I'll be in St. Petersburg with Valery Gergiev at his festival, so this wonderful madness continues.