One of the most kind and genius people in the world’s passed away today. Mariss Jansons. The whole epoch, real legend. We were to go to Musikverein’s stage in 40 minutes today with Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. I cannot comment or grasp this news. Orchestra and I decided to start our concert not with Tchaikovsky piano concert, but with Etude-Tableaux by Rachmaninoff “Sea and seagulls”, maestro Janson’s the most favourite work. ...

As I always say: there is not even one day without improvisation in my life. It gives a peculiar scent to every day. Especially when you are on tour. And today’s happening proves this. As you know I am in Amsterdam right now. Tomorrow we will give a start to a series of concerts with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and maestro Mariss Jansons. And suddenly I got a phone call from maestro Gergiev, who was curious about where I was at that very moment. And when he got my answer – Amsterdam, he was really pleased and said that he was in Rotterdam. He is to perform a concert there tomorrow with Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (they collaborated for many years). Besides he has a great festival there. And I took part in it many times. ...

In the evening I performed a concert with the famous Dutch Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and a brilliant maestro Mariss Jansons, its chief conductor for many years already. ...