Ekaterina Shipulina - prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (2009). She performs both classical and modern productions with equal ease. Her repertoire includes almost all ballet performances of the theater. Talented and sparkling, she immediately attracts the attention of the public. Starting her way with the corps de ballet, with the sixes in The Nutcracker and Giselle, the fours in La Bayadere, she was able to prove her right to solo roles in the most significant productions of the country's main musical theater.

It all began in Perm in 1979, when twins, Katya and Anya, were born in the "ballet family" of the Shipulins. In childhood, the girls spent a lot of time in the theater and therefore it was not surprising to anyone when, at the age of ten, the sisters entered the Perm State Choreographic School. In 1991, the parents accepted an invitation to the Moscow theater. Stanistavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko. When the question of transferring the sisters to Moscow arises, Anya completely unexpectedly refuses to continue her ballet classes. Unlike her, Katya enters the Moscow Choreographic Academy, where Lyudmila Litavkina becomes her teacher. At the beginning, the school has a hard time - increased loads and high requirements, and also additional special subjects that were not in Perm. But Ekaterina copes well with all the difficulties and in 1998 graduated with honors from the Academy and was accepted into the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater. Marina Kondratyeva became her new teachers, and later Tatyana Golikova and Nadezhda Gracheva. But her main and strictest teacher, of course, is her mother, Lyudmila Shipulina.

Repertoire of Ekaterina Shipulina

1998
Grand Pas (La Bayadère by L. Minkus, choreography by M. Petipa, Y. Grigorovich version)

1999
Friends to Giselle (Giselle by A. Adam, choreography by J. Coralli, J. Perrot, M. Petipa, V. Vasiliev version)
filly, Tsar Maiden (The Little Humpbacked Horse by R. Shchedrin, choreography by N. Androsov)
Mazurka (Chopiniana to music by F. Chopin, choreography by M. Fokine)
Queen of the Ball (Fantasy on a Casanova Theme to music by W. A. ​​Mozart, choreography by M. Lavrovsky)
Three Dryads, second variation in grand pas, Queen of the Dryads (Don Quixote by L. Minkus, choreography by M. Petipa, A. Gorsky, revised version by A. Fadeechev)

2000
"Two pairs" in the third movement ("Symphony in C" to music by J. Bizet, choreography by G. Balanchine)
The Heir's Wife (Russian Hamlet to music by L. van Beethoven and G. Mahler, choreography by B. Eifman) - Created by (world premiere)
Fairy of Gold, Fairy of Lilacs (The Sleeping Beauty by P. Tchaikovsky, choreography by M. Petipa, Y. Grigorovich's version)
Congo (Pharaoh's Daughter by C. Pugni, choreography by P. Lacotte after M. Petipa) - creator of the role
second variation in the painting Raymonda's Dreams (Raymonda by A. Glazunov, choreography by M. Petipa, Y. Grigorovich's version)
second variation in the painting "Shadows" ("La Bayadere")

2001
Mirta ("Giselle", editions by Y. Grigorovich and V. Vasiliev)
Polish Bride, Three Swans (Swan Lake by P. Tchaikovsky in the second version by Y. Grigorovich; fragments of choreography by M. Petipa, L. Ivanov, A. Gorsky are used)
Gamzatti ("La Bayadere")

2002
Odette-Odile ("Swan Lake")

2003
Classical Dancer (The Bright Stream by D. Shostakovich, choreography by A. Ratmansky)
Henrietta (Raymonda)
Esmeralda (Notre Dame Cathedral by M. Jarre, choreography by R. Petit)
Seventh Waltz and Prelude (Chopiniana)

2004
Kitri ("Don Quixote")
pas de deux (Agon by I. Stravinsky, choreography by G. Balanchine)
soloist of the 4th movement (Symphony in C major)
Leading soloist (Yuri Krasavin's Magrittomania, choreography by Yuri Possokhov) - creator of the role at the Bolshoi Theater
Aegina (Spartacus by A. Khachaturian, choreography by Y. Grigorovich)

2005
Hermia (A Midsummer Night's Dream to music by F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdi and D. Ligeti, choreography by J. Neumeier)
Action (Omens to music by P. Tchaikovsky, choreography by L. Massine) - creator of the role in Russia
Soloist (Playing Cards by I. Stravinsky, choreography by A. Ratmansky) - was among the creators of this ballet

2006
Cinderella (Cinderella by S. Prokofiev, choreography by Y. Possokhov, director Y. Borisov)

2007
soloist (In the Upstairs Room by F. Glass, choreography by T. Tharp) - was among the creators of this ballet at the Bolshoi Theater
Mekhmene Banu (The Legend of Love by A. Melikov, choreography by Y. Grigorovich)
Gulnara (Le Corsaire by A. Adam, choreography by M. Petipa, production and new choreography by A. Ratmansky and Y. Burlaka) - creator of the role
soloist (Class Concert to music by A. Glazunov, A. Lyadov, A. Rubinstein, D. Shostakovich, choreography by A. Messerer)

2008
Soloist (Misericordes to music by A. Pärt, choreography by K. Wheeldon)
soloist of the first movement ("Symphony in C")
Jeanne, Mireille de Poitiers (The Flames of Paris by B. Asafiev, choreography by A. Ratmansky, choreography by V. Vainonen)
variation (Large classical pas from the ballet Paquita by L. Minkus, choreography by M. Petipa, production and new choreographic version by Y. Burlaka) - was among the creators
a couple in green (among the creators of the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater), a couple in yellow (Russian Seasons to music by L. Desyatnikov, choreography by A. Ratmansky)

2009
Medora (Le Corsaire) - made her debut on the Bolshoi Ballet tour in the USA

2010
soloist in Rubies (II part of the ballet Jewels) to music by I. Stravinsky, choreography by G. Balanchine) - participant in the premiere at the Bolshoi Theater
soloist (Serenade to music by P. Tchaikovsky, choreography by G. Balanchine)

2011
Fleur de Lys (La Esmeralda by C. Pugi, choreography by M. Petipa, production and new choreography by Y. Burlaka, V. Medvedev)
Florina (Lost Illusions by L. Desyatnikov, choreography by A. Ratmansky)
part in the ballet "Chroma" by J. Talbot, J. White (choreography by W. McGregor) - participant in the premiere at the Bolshoi Theater

2012
leading role in Emeralds (I part of the ballet Jewels) to music by G. Fauré (choreography by G. Balanchine)
soloist (Dream of Dream to music by S. Rachmaninoff, choreography by Y. Elo)

In 2001 and 2003. She took part in the R. Nureyev International Festival of Classical Ballet in Kazan (she danced the Lady of the Dryads in the Don Quixote ballet).
In 2011 she took part in a joint project of the Bolshoi Theater and the California Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Remansos to music by E. Granados staged by N. Duato, Dumka to music by P. Tchaikovsky staged by A. Barton, Cinque to music A. Vivaldi, choreography by M. Bigonzetti).

In 1999, the ballerina was awarded second prize at the International Competition "Luxembourg Prize", and in 2001 she was also second at the International Competition of Ballet Dancers in Moscow. In 2002 she received the Triumph Prize Youth Grant. In 2004, she was declared a laureate of the Soul of Dance prize established by Ballet magazine (Rising Star nomination). In 2005, Ekaterina Shipulina became the winner of the "Golden Lyre" competition ("Woman's face of the year. Creative elite of Moscow").

On the pre-premiere days, rehearsals usually begin at ten in the morning and end at eleven in the evening, as well as performances and tours. Despite this, Catherine has time for sports (football, tennis, skating). The artist considers herself an extreme person. What is the case when the ballerina accidentally broke her arm at the beginning of the performance, but the dancer worked in such a way that the viewer did not even know about it. And Ekaterina is not against scuba diving or skydiving. We wish the ballerina new roles and happiness in the coming New Year!

The prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater Yekaterina Shipulina told La Personne about the premiere of Nureyev and her creative search.

Let's start with Nureyev. Opinions about the play were divided: someone was delighted, someone did not understand at all what the hype was about. It is interesting to know your opinion, the person who was inside this work.

Many people asked me about my impressions after the premiere, but it's hard for me to evaluate. This performance is already like a child for me. All of us, the participants in the performance, have worked on this ballet from the very first day, sometimes we didn’t even treat it very adequately. Of course, we loved him, by the end we liked everything about him.

I like this show.

Dress A La Russe Anastasia Romantsova

You danced the monologue "Diva", where you had to tell the story of two divas: Natalia Makarova and Alla Osipenko. How were these roles structured?

Everything came from Yuri Possokhov, who put such a correct choreography on music and text. When staging, he proceeded from the letters written by these ballerinas, in particular, from words and even intonations. Of course, this is what played a big role. I think it is the choreography that touches the most subtle feelings in the viewer and evokes strong emotions.

In your opinion, why is there no ballet dancer of such a scale as Nureyev in our time?

I think he was such a special person, headstrong and freedom-loving. Nowadays, artists may be afraid of losing their jobs, stability, although in our time you can go abroad without problems. I don’t know the exact answer. He was one of the first such rebels. Now there are also outrageous, scandalous artists, but now this is all irrelevant. The time when it was interesting has passed. Now artists are trying to behave with dignity, and this is considered professionalism.

When a creative person goes into secular life - does it hinder or not, what do you think?

With Nureyev it was organic, he did not force himself. For many, this image is part of the image. I think if it's fun, why not? ..

A La Russe dress by Anastasia Romantsova; Zara Boots

When you look at your Instagram, you get the impression that you are a very open person. But it is clearly seen that this is the outer side of life. Is it such a position not to show off your personal life?

Yes. Personal life for that and personal, to stay behind the scenes. When people flaunt their relationships, their families, and their children, it often looks unnatural. There is some kind of window dressing in this.

Suit and coat A La Russe Anastasia Romantsova; Prada velvet sandals; Zara bag

You studied at the Perm School, but then transferred to the Moscow Academy of Choreography. What prompted you to take this step, ambition?

At that time, no. It was a coincidence, since the parents, being the premiers of the Perm Theater, were invited by Bryantsev to the Muses. theater named after Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko. Of course, they agreed, and literally a year later my mother took us to a Moscow school. It’s great that I had the experience of teaching with different methods. I studied in Moscow for 4 years. It was at the Moscow Academy of Choreography that I felt some leadership qualities in myself, of course, I only wanted to go to the Bolshoi. Where else?

Have you imagined that someday you will become the prima of this theater?

Probably not. I started with the second corps de ballet, went to the courtiers, sat on the bench. In general, I went through all the stages.

Is it difficult when your parents are ballet?

On the one hand, yes. They tell you what to do and how to do it 24 hours a day. Over time, you realize that your parents are saying the right things. In fact, I am very grateful to them for not discouraging the desire for this art.

Suit and coat A La Russe Anastasia Romantsova; Zara bag

During the time that you have been dancing in the theater, many leaders have changed ...

This is true!

Dress А L Russe Anastasia Romantsova; Gucci bag (property of Galina Ulanova); Zara Boots

What would you advise actions to take when changing leadership.

Yes. This is hard. You seem to have already achieved something, and then another person comes and you prove everything anew. Each leader has his own opinion, his own tastes. The artist may be great, but the boss may not like it.

And how to be in such a situation?

Work!

What is in your life besides ballet?

Recently, it has become less possible to go somewhere, to meet friends, although I try to find time for meetings and drama theater. The priority now is the child. I don't even want to leave him, to be honest.

I would like to return to our photo session in the museum-apartment of Galina Ulanova. We invited you to this particular photo story for a reason. You are now working with Nadezhda Gracheva, who was the last student of Galina Ulanova. Tell us, how often does she share Galina Sergeevna's remarks with you at rehearsals?

She speaks very sincerely about Galina Sergeevna. They were connected by many things, Nadezhda Alexandrovna began her career in the theater with her and, of course, Galina Ulanova gave her a lot in creative terms. And then, she's a legend!

Suit and coat A La Russe Anastasia Romantsova

As for the comments, I just remembered the remark about the "Swan" by Saint-Saens. This issue does not have a clear system, there is a canvas, and each ballerina has her own hands and poses. And so, Nadezhda Alexandrovna said that Ulanova appeared in this number without suffering immediately, as most ballerinas do. She had such a concept that the swan appears proud, beautiful, not yet tragic. He doesn't die right away.

And finally, what would you wish your viewers for the New Year?

Good health, of course! Live and enjoy every second! Inspiration and fulfillment of all dreams! And by all means go to the theater, enjoy, empathize and have fun!

Interview Alisa Aslanova

Photo Daria Ratushina

Designer A La Russe Anastasia Romantsova

Producer Ekaterina Bornovitskaya

Stylist Ksenia Vorobyova

MUAH Alena Soboleva

We thank the Museum-Apartment of Galina Ulanova and the Bakhrushinsky Museum for their assistance in organizing the shooting.

The bright Denis Matsuev: how did he become a world famous pianist? Who is the musician's wife?

Concerts with the participation of pianist Denis Matsuev are eagerly awaited by fans all over the world. He attracts not only with his virtuoso playing, but also with his personal charisma and charm. In this article, we will talk about the musician's life, his road to fame, and also touch on his personal life, we will find out who Matsuev's wife is.

Brief biography of the famous famous pianist

The future star was born in Irkutsk on 06/11/1975. In many ways, the family determined his future: his grandfather worked in a circus orchestra, and his father and mother played the piano masterfully. Love, passion for classical music was instilled in Matsuev almost from infancy. The first piano lessons were given by Denis's parents and grandmother.

He studied at the oldest art school Irkustka, continuing to hone his ability to play the phono. After training, Denis studied at the city school for several years, until he realized that his talent required further development in Moscow. For this reason, the parents decided to move to the capital, giving their son the opportunity to study with the best teachers.

In 1991 Denis won a competition-festival from the New Names Foundation; this gave the right to give concerts in different states, including European countries.

After 2 years, he began his studies at the Moscow Conservatory, and in 1995 - to work at the Moscow Philharmonic. Three years later, a significant event happened - Denis won an international competition, the public drew attention to him, and was well received by critics.

The young and talented musician continued to perform and develop: already in 2004 he got the opportunity to select his own subscription to the Moscow Philharmonic program. Denis began working with renowned orchestras under the direction of such conductors as Valery Gergiev and others.

He soon began working with one of the largest recording studios in the world, releasing albums. Performances in Russia and abroad were sold out, and collections were actively sold out.

Matsuev became known all over the world, the pianist was invited and looked forward to at many concerts around the planet. He used an innovative approach in his performances: Denis attracted the attention of listeners who were not initially connoisseurs of classical music.

A man is always ready to go beyond what is possible. He is known for being the only pianist who has mastered three Tchaikovsky concertos in one performance.

Denis is also a participant in various charitable projects aimed at getting the younger generation interested in classical music. Working with the New Names Foundation, the master became its leader.

Matsuev is familiar with a descendant of the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Talking a lot with him, Denis got the right to record the collection "Unknown Rachmaninov", playing the master's piano. The pianist himself considers this collection to be his special achievement.

In 2014, Denis performed at the Sochi Olympics: he gave a spectacular show at the closing ceremony.

Also, the man loves football, calls himself a fan of FC "Spartak" for many years. The man even associates his professional victories with love for the team.

Despite the fact that Matsuev lives in Moscow, he often comes to his native Irkutsk, loves to spend time in nature, especially in Siberia. She loves baths, rest on Lake Baikal. His natural emotionality sometimes requires unusual actions: as a man admits that sometimes he likes to shout well in the forest in order to relieve stress and release emotions.

Personal life of a musician

The Russian celebrity is quite old-fashioned and doesn't like to talk about her romantic relationship. Some time ago it turned out that Denis arranged his life and found the one with whom he wants to live. The chosen one and wife - Ekaterina Shipulina, performing at the Bolshoi Theater as a prima ballerina. The marriage has been going on for several years, and in the fall of 2016, the couple had a daughter.

In 2017, Denis Matsuev was only 41 years old; despite his rather young age, he is already a generally recognized meter. He knows how to surprise his audience, makes classical music attractive for different age groups of listeners, for which he earns additional respect. We wish him success in his work, new achievements, as well as happiness in his personal life and relations with his wife.

The famous pianist Denis Matsuev is known for his loud statements. "I am a Siberian by nationality," he once said. This phrase aroused general interest, because the musician has a rather complex origin. Siberians, of course, can be proud of their talented fellow countryman, because in a short time the name of Denis Matsuev gained worldwide fame. The life of this wonderful person will be discussed in this article.

A family

Denis Matsuev, a biography whose nationality is of interest to many, was born in 1975, on June 11, in the city of Irkutsk. His dad, Leonid Viktorovich, is a pianist and composer. He was engaged in writing music for productions of the Irkutsk theater. The mother of the future musician, Irina Dmitrievna, taught the piano. The boy's grandfather - Gomelsky Dmitry Leonidovich - worked as a percussionist in the circus orchestra of the city of Irkutsk. The pianist Denis Matsuev is a Jew, as some say. This statement is only partly true. The fact is that the musician's grandmother, Vera Albertovna Rammul, is indeed a born Jew. She managed to give the boy an elementary musical education and instill in him a lifelong love of art. Thus, the pianist is only a quarter Jewish.

Childhood

Denis Matsuev spent his childhood in his native Irkutsk. He still remembers Lake Baikal, loves to come to its shores and absorb the special energy of this place. Born into a creative family, the boy studied music from an early age. First, he went to the city comprehensive school number 11 named after Vladimir Vladimirovich Mayakovsky and at the same time began to attend the local art school. At the age of sixteen, Denis Matsuev, whose nationality is considered in this article, entered the Irkutsk School of Music. However, he quickly realized that his talent needed a more thorough cut. At the family council, it was decided to move to the capital. The parents understood that their talented son could have a very successful creative biography. Denis Matsuev moved to Moscow in 1990.

First successes

The young man successfully passed the entrance examinations at the Central Music School, which operated at the Moscow State Conservatory. In 1991 he became a laureate of the International Public Charitable Foundation called "New Names". Thanks to this circumstance, already in his youth, he visited more than forty countries of the world with concert performances. The most important persons came to listen to his virtuoso playing: the Pope and others. In 1993 Denis Matsuev, whose nationality is often discussed in the press, managed to enter the Moscow State Conservatory. In parallel, he performed in the programs of the New Names public foundation, which were held under the supervision of Denis's patron Svyatoslav Belz. In 1995, the artist was accepted as a soloist at the Moscow State Philharmonic. This allowed Denis Leonidovich to expand the scope of his concert activity.

Popularity

Together with the victory at the Eleventh International Competition named after Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the musician became world famous. His biography was adorned with this fateful event in 1998. Denis Matsuev has become one of the most popular pianists in the world. His virtuoso performances caused a great resonance in the world. The artist began to be invited to the most prestigious events. For example, Denis Matsuev performed at the closing ceremony of the Sochi Olympics. Many people became interested in the pianist's nationality. It seemed to them that such a brilliant talent could only appear in a person of special blood.

Origin

Denis Matsuev boldly shares his views with the public. "Siberian - - he said in an interview with Vladimir Pozner. The artist considers the inhabitants of Siberia people of a special breed. He thinks that the spirit of the rebellious Decembrists is still preserved in those parts. Siberians are distinguished by their breadth of nature and an independent disposition, the pianist believes. a special strong-willed core. The musician sincerely loves his native land. Even the annual festival "Stars on Baikal" he holds in Irkutsk is not accidental. Denis Matsuev, whose nationality is discussed all over the world, admits that he has Russian, Jewish, German, Estonian, Polish roots However, in his heart he feels like a real Siberian.

Denis Matsuev says that he especially loves performing in front of the Russian audience. It is not easy to win her attention, therefore, success in this field is especially valuable. The pianist has traveled all over the world and believes that Russia has the most cordial people and unusually beautiful girls.

Concert activities

Since 2004 Denis Matsuev annually presents his personal subscription. The best symphony orchestras of Russia and abroad perform together with the musician. In recent seasons, Lorin Maazel and the Arturo Toscanini Orchestra have performed on the same stage with the pianist; Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra; Zubin Meta and the Florentine Maggio Musicale. Together with Denis Matsuev, he played under the direction of Paavo Jarvi, Gianandrea Noseda, Semyon Bychkov, Mikhail Pletnev. The artist also actively collaborated with both the soloist and conductor of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. The best conductors in the world consider it an honor to work with the famous Denis Matsuev. Among them: Yuri Timirkanov, Valery Gergiev, Beshmet, Leonid Slatkin, Maris Yanson, Ivan Fischer, Kurt Mazur, Myung-Wun Chung, Yukka-Pekka Saraste and many others.

Social activity

Who is Denis Matsuev by nationality? Everyone can answer this question for himself. It is enough to evaluate the contribution of the musician to the development of Russian culture to understand that by nature he is a truly Russian person. The pianist strives in every possible way to interest young people in philharmonic art. He runs several charitable projects. The artist heads the interregional charitable foundation "New Names", since 2011 he has been an Honorary Professor of Moscow State University. Denis Leonidovich also holds the position of art director of the S.V. Rachmaninov Foundation. In 2006, the artist became a member of the Council for Arts and Culture under the President of the Russian Federation. In 2012, he was appointed to the post of chairman of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. In 2014, Denis Matsuev, among many, signed the appeal of cultural figures of the Russian Federation in support of V.V. Putin's policy in Crimea and Ukraine.

Personal life

The artist has never been married. In all interviews, he declares that he does not suffer from loneliness and does not seek to get a stamp in his passport. In his free time Denis Matsuev likes to go in for sports. The musician's nationality does not affect his preferences: he, like many, is a fan of Spartak, he himself enjoys playing football, bowling and tennis. The artist loves the Russian bath. He is a devoted fan of theatrical art, often visits Sovremennik and is friends with Galina Volchek. The broad nature of Denis Leonidovich requires an exit. The musician admits that during his visits to his homeland he cannot breathe his native Baikal, and sometimes he goes far into the forest to shout to his full while no one hears him.

Conclusion

Denis Matsuev is a very talented and subtle person. The nationality of the musician does not matter. He does a lot for his country. In an effort to instill in people a love of music, the artist arranges all kinds of festivals and competitions. Moreover, he seeks to hold them in different regions of Russia, so that all residents of the country can touch the high art, hear the brilliant performance of the best musical works. I would like to wish Denis Leonidovich new creative achievements.

Matsuev Denis Leonidovich (b. 1975) - an outstanding Russian virtuoso pianist performing in the best concert halls in the world; musical and public figure. For his creative successes in 2009 he received the State Prize of the Russian Federation, since 2011 he has been awarded the title of People's Artist of Russia.

Childhood

Denis was born on June 11, 1975 in the city of Irkutsk. His unique talent can well be attributed to heredity, because almost the whole family was musical.

The maternal grandfather, Dmitry Gomelsky, was a percussionist (a musician who plays percussion instruments) and worked in the orchestra of the Irkutsk Circus.

Paternal grandmother, Rammul Vera Albertovna, was a physicist by profession, but this did not prevent her from perfectly playing music from operettas and Soviet films on several instruments. It was she who became the first teacher of little Matsuev.

Denis's dad, Leonid Viktorovich Matsuev, was a pianist and composer, he wrote music for many theatrical performances in Irkutsk. Mom, Irina Dmitrievna, taught piano at music schools.

Parents and grandparents from an early age realized that Denis was growing up as a child prodigy. But he himself did not feel any special, he only understood that he did some things better than others. For example, a work that is usually taught for three months, Denis mastered in two or three days. He memorized music very quickly, memorized notes, had a unique ear, could pick up any melody.

Plus, there was always a crazy atmosphere in their house, in the good sense of the word, that is, many guests often gathered who loved to sing and dance. Particularly large parties were held on Saturday evenings. It was from here that Denis's great love for jazz music began.

The boy watched, studied, memorized, and at some point began to arrange his own shows. He sang, played the piano, violin, guitar, accordion, parodied opera, jazz and pop singers, and showed puppet shows. Rumors spread around the city that the Matsuev family had a special child, and many wanted to see his home performances. Then Denis for the first time felt that he could grab the attention of the audience.

School years

Denis studied at the secondary school number 11 in the city of Irkutsk. Along with this, he attended a music school. His unique abilities made Matsuev the first hero in the class, because before each singing lesson, the girls ordered him different melodies, and he easily picked them up and played the piano. But he liked performing, and he hated music lessons, he could not sit in one place for more than two hours. But Denis's parents acted wisely: they saw what their son's temperament was, so they did not force him to study: "Let him first run around in the yard with the boys, and then play the music".

The favorite pastime of the future virtuoso pianist was football. He simply adored this sport, watched it on TV, played for the yard team himself. Therefore, when he had a chance to show Denis to a representative of a musical organization that was collecting young talents all over Russia, his father had to go for a trick.

In 1990, the founder and president of the New Names Foundation, Yvette Voronova, came to Irkutsk. There was a children's jazz quartet in the city, the fame of which reached the capital itself, and Ivette Nikolaevna wanted to listen to it. Local musicians from the Philharmonic invited Denis's father to show Voronova his unique son. But the guy categorically refused, explaining that he had the final of the football tournament "yard to yard". The younger Matsuev was not only the team captain, but also the headman of the sports ground, he was responsible for its condition. How could he, at such a crucial moment, exchange the team, friends and football for some kind of audition at the Philharmonic?

And then dad said to him: “Can't you be in time for both football and the Philharmonic?” Self-esteem took over. Denis really managed everywhere, after a football match in jeans and a T-shirt he ran onto the stage of the Philharmonic, played Rachmaninov's prelude and was about to run back. Ivette Nikolaevna stopped him and said: "Wait, pussy, we want to invite you to Moscow".

Study in Moscow

In 1991 Denis and his parents came to Moscow. It was a terrible time, right after the putsch. The guy did not want to leave his native Irkutsk at all, from his friends and his favorite yard football team. But his parents bribed him, saying that in Moscow he would be able to go to large stadiums and personally watch the matches of his beloved Spartak.

Grandmother Vera Albertovna helped again. Once she, a physicist by education and profession, quit her job and devoted herself to raising her grandson, studying music with little Denis. Now she sold a cooperative apartment in Irkutsk, gave sixteen thousand dollars, and with this money the Matsuev family rented housing in Moscow.

In the capital, Denis began his studies at the Central Music School at the Moscow State Conservatory. A year later, he became the winner of an international competition organized by the New Names charitable foundation. In addition to being awarded a scholarship from the foundation, Matsuev took part in classical music concerts in many European countries. He toured the capitals and major cities of the Netherlands, Austria, France and Great Britain, spoke to NATO Secretary General Manfred Werner, British Queen, Pope John Paul II, and Matsuev played in front of Russian President Boris Yeltsin six times.

In 1993, Denis entered the Moscow State Conservatory, and two years later he became a soloist of the Moscow Philharmonic.

Victory at the Tchaikovsky Competition

In 1998 Matsuev took part in the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition. Together with their teacher, they chose the competitive program for a long time and stopped at Liszt's concert. This is a very effective piece, no one performed it, and the choice was made literally ten days before the submission of applications for the competition. This was not only the right decision - it turned out to be bright and victorious.

For a long time Denis could not come to his senses after the victory, everything seemed to him like a dream. After all, the composition of the contestants was the strongest in history, only seven pianists claimed the first place. Matsuev was helped by his character, he always played better at performances than at rehearsals. The excitement went away, unrestrained joy seized him, he ran to the piano, everything was boiling inside, the pianist was literally tearing up and metal. At that moment he never thought about what he was playing for the members of the jury sitting in the sixth row. He donated his work to viewers who came to the Great Hall of the Conservatory.

The competitive performance was triumphant. He was highly appreciated not only by the jury, but also by music critics, they noted the young pianist's emotional concert style of performance, which at the same time contrasted with the calm manner. Many positive reviews of Matsuev's speech appeared in the foreign media. And the talent of the young Russian virtuoso pianist was unambiguously recognized by world music lovers.

Creation

Denis has one unshakable rule - he distributes his touring schedule equally between Russian and foreign listeners. He performs especially often at home, in Siberian cities. In his first serious tour, he traveled to Chita, Magadan, Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

For him, listeners from the Russian provinces are as dear as the audience from Carnegie Hall. Denis does not know how to play in a particularly good way for the elite audience. He gives all the best one hundred percent always and everywhere. The pianist considers it his duty to introduce the masterpieces of music to people who have never heard the classics in live performance before. For Matsuev, this is a matter of conscience and honor.

He considers it easy for himself to get into a helicopter and fly to some remote village, for example, in the Orenburg region. Denis tries to deliver grand pianos to such remote places so that children can practice good musical instruments in local schools and clubs. The pianist does not forget that he himself comes from such a remote place. In his opinion, all the most sincere, truthful and real comes from such places.

Now his name is known even to those who are not familiar with classical music. He is one of the few people on the planet, thanks to whom the classics become understandable, in this he is helped by remarkable charisma, temperament and an absolutely sincere desire to convey the masterpieces of world music to as many people as possible.

Denis performs with the best Russian and foreign orchestras and conductors (Yuri Bashmet, Valery Gergiev, Paavo Yarvi, Vladimir Spivakov, Gianandrea Noseda, Mikhail Pletnev, Ivan Fisher).

Matsuev is trying with all his might to awaken interest in music among modern youth. To this end, he organizes various children's and youth festivals, contests and shows, takes over the leadership of many charitable programs throughout Russia. For example, the festival "Stars on Baikal", which Denis organized in his homeland, in Irkutsk, is now held there annually. In different Russian cities every year the festival "Crescendo" is held, Matsuev is its artistic director.

Since 2011, Matsuev has been an honorary professor at Moscow State University. He is the president of the New Names interregional charitable foundation, as well as the art director of the Sergei Rachmaninov Foundation.

During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the pianist performed at the closing ceremony. And in the summer of 2016, Denis was elected ambassador of the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Russia.

Holy homeland

Denis lives in Moscow, but at any opportunity he visits his little homeland.

The holiest place on the planet for Matsuev is Irkutsk. He loves his hometown very much and is ready to sacrifice everything for it. Concerts in his native land are always held with special excitement and trepidation, and the recognition of the Irkutsk audience is most important for him.

When he arrives in Irkutsk, he leaves the car and all his business, goes for a walk around the city, walks along the streets of Khalturin, Marat, Zhelyabin. Then he walks into their apartment, where he does not make repairs on purpose, and breathes in the smells of his childhood. Denis sometimes jokes that he invented the annual Stars on Baikal festival in Irkutsk in order to visit his homeland once again. More broadly, the pianist's favorite places are, of course, Baikal, especially the Chivyrkuisky Bay and Sandy Bay.

Family and hobbies

Matsuev lives in a civil marriage with the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater, Honored Artist of Russia Yekaterina Shipulina. In the fall of 2016, the couple had a daughter.

Denis is still, like in childhood, a passionate football fan. Gives preference to the Moscow club "Spartak". In addition to football, he is fond of tennis and bowling.

The pianist adores Soviet films, and he knows not only every actor and director, but also in what year, at what film studio the picture was filmed. The most masterpieces, for example, comedies, Denis knows by heart - phrase by phrase, frame by frame. He grew up watching these films and is firmly convinced that his great-grandchildren will watch them. These films are personal, sincere and real, which strongly reminds Denis of classical music. And the classics live for centuries.

Among foreign countries, Denis loves Japan very much, admires its culture, the self-esteem of the Japanese, before they respect their elders, before their quality of life and order on the streets.

Matsuev is a fan of old rock, he loves to listen to the music of "Deep Purple", "Pink Floyd", "Queen". He likes Sting, French and Soviet pop music.

He is very fond of theater, among Moscow's prefers "Sovremennik", is friends with the director of this theater Galina Volchek.

Matsuev is a passionate admirer of the Russian bath. During the festival "Stars on Baikal" he has a tradition: whoever comes from the famous guests, first they go to the steam room, and then plunge into Lake Baikal. The temperature there is only +8 degrees, but no one has ever got sick.