Salon｜Kobrin Is Here! A Face-to-Face with "The Modern Van Cliburn"

When "the modern Van Cliburn" arrives in Shenzhen, he will be more than a soloist—he will be a storyteller, a thinker, and a guide. On the evening of September 3, international piano master **Alexander Kobrin** will meet music lovers face-to-face at Jingshan Theater for an in-depth sharing about music and life, accompanied by live piano demonstrations that reveal the world of performance from a master’s perspective.  

 The Secrets of the Russian Piano School  
The greatest pianists of the 20th century largely emerged from the "Russian Piano School." Within this legendary training system, singing tone, dramatic tension, and technical brilliance coexist, forming a distinct and recognizable performance style.  

As a protégé of Lev Naumov, a master of the Russian piano tradition, how does Kobrin view the influence of this system in today’s globalized context? In his own teaching, how does he transmit, renew, and even transcend this tradition?  

Balancing Competition and Freedom  
From the Busoni to the Van Cliburn competitions, Kobrin has won nearly every major international prize. Yet he has admitted that he never prepared deliberately for competitions and "never expected to win."  

Today, an increasing number of young musicians adopt intensive competition strategies, seeking optimal solutions within jury preferences and contest rules. However, the decisive role of awards in career development is diminishing, and international competitions are continually evolving.  

As a former contestant, current jury member, and teacher, how does Kobrin view today’s competition landscape? In his eyes, are competitions an "essential path" or an "optional route" for a musical career? What advice would he give to young musicians immersed in preparation?  

 Haydn, Schubert, and Beethoven Through Kobrin’s Eyes  
For his debut tour in China, Kobrin has selected works by Haydn, Schubert, Schumann, and Beethoven, with a special focus on late-period pieces for the Shenzhen performance. 

Why these works? Why these periods? In Kobrin’s view, what spiritual threads connect Haydn’s humor, Beethoven’s exploration, and Schubert’s contemplation? What does he hope Shenzhen audiences will hear in these "voices from the later stages of life" on this journey?  

Translation maintains the original's cultural and stylistic nuances while adapting phrasing for natural English readability. Proper nouns (names, titles) are standardized to conventional equivalents.