On April 1, the Small Hall of Special Music School at the May Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory played host to a tribute concert honoring one of the remarkable pianist, Merited Art Worker of Turkmenistan, professor at the Kazan Conservatory Alexander Anatolievich Starikov. The musician passed away in February. He would have turned 70 this December.

Alexander Starikov was a native of Ashgabat. He graduated from Children’s Music School No. 1 where he studied the piano, and then continued his musical education at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory. After completing his postgraduate studies Starikov returned to Ashgabat and devoted himself to teaching at the Turkmen State Institute of Arts (presently Institute of Culture).

The pianist had a phenomenal memory and could play without reading music. He played much, and his renditions were inspirational and passionate. Alexander Starikov shared the tricks of the trade with his students. Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Vladimir Mkrtumov is one of them.

In memory of his mentor Vladimir Sergeevich played solo for those who knew Alexander Starikov, studied under his tutelage and admired his outstanding musical talent.

The concert program included five compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach and Sergey Prokofiev. Like his mentor, Vladimir Sergeevich performed the pieces from memory, without sheet music.

A lilting folk melody played on the dili tuiduk (a clarinet-like, single-reed instrument) by People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Berdyniyaz Babaniyazov added extra warmth to the tribute event.

The concert came to a close, but the music lovers did not feel like leaving the venue. And then, Vladimir Mkrtumov played Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne (the piece was not featured in the program).

Fond memories of Alexander Anatolievich Starikov shared by his students provided an epilogue to the evening. Vladimir Mkrtumov was joined by Elvira Kruglyakova and Stella Faramazova.

Tamara GLAZUNOVA

Photo: Yuri SHKURIN