The *Lavrova/Primakov Duo* was established in August 2010. Since then, they have performed extensively throughout the USA and garnered accolades from audiences and critics, stating that “Lavrova and Primakov play with brilliance and depth. They have excellent unity and do not hesitate to go with full power.” (MusicWeb International).
In November 2011, Ms. Lavrova and Mr. Primakov established their own record label, LP Classics, an initiative committed to unearthing lost historical gems, presenting never-before released recordings, and enriching the discographies of emerging stars of the new generation.
*Vassily Primakov*
In recent years, Vassily Primakov has been hailed as a pianist of world class importance. American Record Guide stated: “Since Gilels, how many pianists have the right touch? In Chopin, no one currently playing sounds as good as this! This is a great Chopin pianist.” In 1999, as a prizewinner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Primakov was praised by Donald Rosenberg of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “How many pianists can make a line sing as the Moscow native did on this occasion? Every poignant phrase took ethereal wing. Elsewhere the music soared with all of the turbulence and poetic vibrancy it possesses. We will be hearing much from this remarkable musician.”
His first piano studies were with his mother, Marina Primakova. He entered Moscow’s Central Special Music School as a pupil of Vera Gornostaeva, and at 17 came to New York to pursue studies at the Juilliard School with the noted pianist, Jerome Lowenthal. At Juilliard Mr. Primakov won the William Petschek Piano Recital Award, which presented his debut recital at Alice Tully Hall, and while at Juilliard, he won both the Silver Medal and the Audience Prize in the 2002 Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition. Later that year Primakov won First Prize in the 2002 Young Concert Artists (YCA) International Auditions. In 2007 he was named the Classical Recording Foundation’s “Young Artist of the Year.” In 2009, Primakov’s Chopin Mazurkas recording was named “Best of the Year” by National Public Radio. Vassily Primakov has released numerous recordings for Bridge Record and for LP Clasis. 2013 highlights include a solo all-Chopin concert at Carnegie Halls Zankel Hall anda month-long concert tour in South Africa. In March 2012 Vassily Primakov became a Yamaha Artist.
*Natalia Lavrova*
Pianist Natalia Lavrova is a highly-regarded performer of multi-faceted artistry, whose sincerity of interpretation and beguiling charm upon the stage has won the hearts of audiences across the United States and Europe. Ms. Lavrova enjoys a diverse career upon the international platform, and additionally holds substantial positions in the worlds of arts administration and pedagogy.
Recital performances have taken Ms. Lavrova throughout her native Russia to Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom and the United States, to include notable New York venues such as Steinway Hall, Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Ms. Lavrova has captured top prizes at the New Orleans, Isabel Scionti, Frinna Auerbach, Heidi Hermanns, Music Academy of the West, Silver Lake, and Senigallia International Piano Competitions. Upon her debut at the Leeds International Piano Competition, Ms. Lavrova was the youngest performer of 1996 admitted to the quarterfinal round.
Natalia Lavrova was born in Moscow in 1981. She entered the preparatory division of the Moscow Conservatory, and was subsequently accepted to The Juilliard School Pre-College Division, as a pupil in the studio of Herbert Stessin. Ms. Lavrova went on to earn her Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music degrees at Juilliard, under the tutelage of Jerome Lowenthal. She is the owner and director of a highly successful Music School of New York City and a co-president of LP Classics, together with Vassily Primakov. In March 2012 Natalia Lavrova became a Yamaha Artist.
