Сongratulations on the anniversary, Rodion Konstantinovich!

I would like to congratulate one of the greatest composers of our time on his anniversary. A composer with unique, original style of composing. I was lucky enough to know him for the last ten years. I performed his Piano concerto №5 and recorded it twice, once with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra with Mariss Jansons and the second time not long ago with Valery Gergiev. These records have a great success all over the world, like all his work, that, in my opinion, because of his genius. They are simply destined for success. My Congratulations to Rodion Konstantinovich and his muse, Maya Plisetskaya. This is a unique couple that proves that so talented, ambitious persons, like Rodion Konstantinovich and Maya Michailovna, can live happily together in one family.

Upon the request of Rodion Konstantinovich I gladly began rehearsing his Piano concerto № 2, which will be presented to the public on December 22nd in St. Petersburg, and on December 25th in Moscow. He had a feeling that this concert, devoted to Maya Plisetskaya, perfect fit for my style of performing. At the moment I am rehearsing the concert. I must say that rehearsals, when Shchedrin in a concert hall, or concerts, when he is in the auditorium, are very special rehearsals and concerts. And I have a very special feeling during performance, when the composer is in the hall. I wish him good health and prosperity for many years to come, I wish him energy to go along in the same vein, the same pace, in the same rhythm. I admire him and I am looking forward to these concerts.