Born in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia, he showed extraordinary promise at an early age, giving recitals for family and friends even before entering the Kazan Special Music School for Gifted Children. His family settled in Ohio when he was 10, and he continued his study with Nina Polonsky and Steven Glaser. At age 18, he won first prize in the 2002 Eastman International Piano Competition, and a year later he won the National Chopin Piano Competition of the Kosciuszko Foundation.
Lovchinsky completed his undergraduate work at the Juilliard School before earning his master's degree at the New England Conservatory.
His early career took him to perform with orchestras in Europe, as well as to give recitals in Poland, Lithuania, China and Canada. Just this season, he collaborated with pianist Jonathan Coombs in presenting piano pieces by Walter Piston at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. Following Lovchinsky's latest appearance in the Rising Stars Series in Southampton, Long Island, a reviewer declared him 'already risen' and as having taken a place in the musical firmament.
His repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to the 21st century, and he often speaks to his audience, engaging both seasoned and first-time listeners. The Southampton Press described his commentaries as 'witty, informative and non-technical, adding immeasurably to the non-professional's understanding.'
The late virtuoso pianist Earl Wild heard him perform his Etudes on Themes of Gershwin and offered to produce his debut disc on Wild's Ivory Classics label. This CD, released in 2008, was voted one of the top five classical recordings of that year by Time Out International, while Gramophone magazine hailed him as a 'star of the future.'
In addition to pursuing a career as concert artist, Lovchinsky is in his second year of graduate study in physics at Harvard University, thus fulfilling a long-standing passion for mathematics and science. He finds that these dual interests performing the classical piano repertoire and conducting scientific research are compatible and complementary ones.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and may be purchased at the Franco Center box office, by phone at 689-2000, online at www.francocenter.org or at the door. Students are admitted free.
