Today, the name of Denis Matsuev inextricably borders on the traditions of the legendary Russian piano school, with the excellent quality of concert programs and virtuoso piano playing.
In 2011, Denis was awarded the title of "People's Artist of the Russian Federation". The popularity of Matsuev has long gone beyond the borders of his native country. Musicians are interested in creativity even those who are far from the classics.
Matsuev does not need intrigues and "dirty" PR. The popularity of a musician is based solely on professionalism and personal qualities. He is equally respected in Russia and foreign countries. He admits that most of all he likes to perform for the people of Irkutsk.
Childhood and youth of Denis Matsuev
Denis Leonidovich Matsuev was born on June 11, 1975 in Irkutsk in a traditionally creative and intelligent family. Denis knew firsthand what a classic is. Music in the Matsuevs' house sounded more often than TV, reading books and discussing the news.
Denis's grandfather played in the circus orchestra, his father, Leonid Viktorovich, is a composer. The head of the family composed songs for Irkutsk theatrical productions, but my mother is a piano teacher.
Perhaps now it is clear why Denis Matsuev soon mastered playing several musical instruments. The boy began to master music under the guidance of his grandmother Vera Albertovna Rammul. She was fluent in playing the piano.
It is difficult to determine the exact nationality of Denis. Matsuev considers himself a Siberian, but since such a nation does not exist, it can be assumed that the musician loves his homeland very much.
Until the end of the 9th grade, the boy studied at school number 11. In addition, Matsuev attended several children's circles. Denis has the warmest memories of his youth.
Musical talent did not prevent Denis from discovering several more serious hobbies - he devoted a lot of time to football and often skated on an ice rink. Then Matsuev even seriously began to think about a sports career. He began to devote no more than two hours to music. There was a period when the guy wanted to give up playing the piano.
After leaving school, the young man studied for some time at the Irkutsk Musical College. But quickly realizing that there were few prospects in the provinces, he moved to the very heart of Russia - Moscow.
The creative path of Denis Matsuev
The Moscow biography of Denis Matsuev began in early 1990. In Moscow, the pianist studied at the Central Specialized Music School at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Tchaikovsky. His talent was evident.
In 1991, Denis Matsuev became a laureate of the New Names competition. Thanks to this event, the pianist visited 40 countries of the world. For Denis, completely different opportunities and prospects opened up.
A few years later, Matsuev entered the Moscow Conservatory. The young man studied at the piano department with famous teachers Alexei Nasedkin and Sergei Dorensky. In 1995 Denis became part of the Moscow Conservatory.
In 1998, Matsuev became the winner of the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition. Denis' performance at the competition was enchanting. It seemed like there was no point for the other members to go on stage. Matsuev noted that the victory in the international competition is the greatest achievement in his life.
Since 2004, the pianist has presented his own program "Soloist Denis Matsuev" at the Moscow Philharmonic. A feature of Matsuev's performance was that Russian and foreign world-class orchestras took part in his programs. However, the tickets were not overpriced. “Classics should be available to everyone…”, the pianist notes.
Soon Denis signed a lucrative contract with the prestigious label SONY BMG Music Entertainment. From the moment the contract was signed, Matsuev's records began to diverge in multi-million copies. The importance of a pianist is hard to underestimate. He increasingly toured with his program in foreign countries.
Denis Matsuev's debut album was called Tribute to Horowitz. The collection included Vladimir Horowitz's beloved concert numbers, among which were variations on themes from such classical operatic masterpieces as "Mephisto Waltz" and "Hungarian Rhapsody" by Franz Liszt.
Matsuev's tour schedule is scheduled for several years ahead. He is a sought after pianist. Today, the musician's performances are often accompanied by other world-class classical bands.
Denis considers the collection “Unknown Rachmaninoff”, recorded on the piano, to be the most significant achievement in his discography. The record personally belongs to Matsuev and no one has the rights to it.
The history of the recording of the collection began with the fact that, after a performance in Paris, Alexander (grandson of the composer Sergei Rachmaninov) suggested that Matsuev perform a fugue and suite by the famous composer Rachmaninov that had never been heard before. Denis got the right to the premiere performance in a very funny way - he promised his friend and colleague Alexander Rachmaninoff to quit smoking. By the way, the pianist kept his promise.
Personal life of Denis Matsuev
Denis Matsuev for a long time did not dare to marry. But soon there was information that he called the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater Ekaterina Shipulina to the registry office. The wedding was held without much pomp, but in the family circle.
In 2016, Catherine gave her husband a child. The girl was named Anna. The fact that Matsuev had a daughter became known a year later. Before that, there was not a single hint or photo of a new addition to the family.
Matsuev said that Anna is not indifferent to songs. My daughter especially likes the composition "Petrushka" by Igor Stravinsky. Her father noticed that Anna had a penchant for conducting.
Denis continued to lead an active lifestyle. He played football and was a fan of the Spartak football team. The musician also noted that his favorite place in Russia is Baikal, and the rest is a Russian bath.
Denis Matsuev today
The musician breathes unevenly towards jazz, which he repeatedly mentioned in his interviews. The pianist said that he appreciates this style of music no less than the classics.
Those who attended Matsuev's concerts know that he likes to add jazz to his performances. In 2017, the musician presented the audience with a new program, Jazz Among Friends.
In 2018, the musician performed at the economic forum in Davos with a concert. Beginning pianists, wards of the New Names Foundation, performed at the presented forum.
In 2019, Denis organized a big tour. In 2020, it became known that Matsuev canceled concerts due to the coronavirus pandemic. Most likely, the musician will perform for fans in 2021. News from the life of the pianist can be found on his official website, as well as from social networks.
