Katya Apekisheva

Katya Apekisheva is one of Europe's foremost pianists, in demand internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, and has been described by Gramophone magazine as 'a profoundly gifted artist' who has 'already achieved artistic greatness'.

A prize-winner at the Leeds Piano Competition and Scottish Piano Competition, Katya has appeared as soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony and the English Chamber Orchestra. She has collaborated with such conductors as Sir Simon Rattle, David Shallon and Alexander Lazarev.

Her solo CD release of Grieg solo piano works this year has received over-whelming critical acclaim. It was also chosen by Classic FM as CD of the week and selected by Gramophone Magazine as Editor's Choice. It received a Rising Star award in International Piano Magazine and was Critic's choice for the year 2008 in Gramophone Magazine. Equally at home as a chamber musician, Katya collaborates with Janine Jansen, Natalie Clein, Maxim Rysanov, Jack Liebeck, Boris Brovtsyn, Alexei Ogrinchouk and Nicholas Daniel among others. In this capacity she is a regular guest at major chamber music festivals around the world.

Born in Moscow into a family of musicians, she studied at the Gnessin music school for exceptionally gifted children under Ada Traub and Anna Kantor (the teacher of Evgeny Kissin). At the age of 12 she performed a Mozart Concerto with Gnessin School Orchestra which was broadcast by Moscow Classical Radio.

In 1992 Katya continued her studies at the Rubin Music Academy in Jerusalem with Irina Berkovich. There Katya won an America-Israel Scholarship and was awarded second prize at the Young Talents Radio Competition. In 1994 Katya moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music with Irina Zaritskaya and in 1995 she was awarded President's Rose Bowl which was presented to her by HRH Prince of Wales.

In 1996, in addition to her successes in the Leeds and Scottish competitions, Katya won London Philharmonic Orchestra Soloist of the year and also the prestigious Terence Judd Award.

Katya has also collaborated on several recordings with the violinist Jack Liebeck, including a Classical Brit-nominated CD.

Recent highlights include performances at Utrecht, Leicester, Ancona, Homecoming Festivals , tour of USA with Nicola Benedetti and appearances at Berlin Spectrum Series. She also made recordings for BBC radio 3 and German radio. Her most recent performances include concertos with Santiago Philarmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and collaboration with Jan Latham-Koenig, Paul Watkins, Jason Lai and Emmanuel Siffert.

This season highlights include concerto tour of South Africa, CD release with Jack Liebeck on Sony Label and Wigmore Hall Recital.

"...Her power and temperament remind me of Martha Argerich..."

- Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Moscow

"...Astute colours and brilliant technique..."

- The Times