Pianist Temirzhan Yerzhanov made his first success in 1993 by winning the First Prize and Gold Medal in one of the most prestigious contests in the world - The Xlth International Schumann Piano Competition in Zwickau, Germany. Muzykalnaya Zhizn recognized his interpretation of Schumann's music as "original and artistically complete", and Freie Presse noted, "his performance was remarkable and totally fresh".
Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Mr. Yerzhanov studied since his early years in Russia and later graduated from the renowned Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Professor Mikhail Voskressensky. Consequently, his style identifies with the Russian piano school with its deep tone and romantic comprehension.
Since then Mr. Yerzhanov forged a substantial career. His tours covered Kazakhstan, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, UK, Czech Republic and USA. As a soloist, he played with:
Kazakh Philharmonic Orchestra, Zwickauer Philharmonisches Orchestra, Soloists of Moscow Radio Tchaikovsky Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, Kazakh Abai Opera Orchestra, San Luis Obispo Symphony, Samara Philharmonic, Rostov Symphony, Yaroslavl Symphony, Karaganda Symphony, Astana National Opera Orchestra, West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra, New American Chamber Orchestra.
Some of the noted venues he played in include:
Moscow Conservatory's Great, Small and Rachmaninov Halls, Berlin Konzerthaus and Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Schumann Haus and Tchaikovsky Memorial House, Zwickau Neue Welte and Paris Chopin-Pleyel, Moscow and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Halls, San Jose Le Petite Trianon, Dresden Zempergalerie, New York Merkin Hall, San Luis Obispo Cohan Center, Palm Springs Annenberg Theater, Sacramento Convention Center, Bombey National Center for Performing Arts.
His performances were broadcasted by:
Deutschland Radio Berlin (studio recording and live from concert), Kazakh State TV and Radio (live from concerts), BBC Radio, Radio Freedom - Free Europe, Khabar TV, Russian State TV Culture Channel, Capital Radio Sacramento, KCBX Public Radio.
In 2001, the Russian label RCD released his first solo album:
Schumann: Davidsbundlertanze op.6, Grande Sonate op.14, Gesange der Fruhe op.133
Temirzhan Yerzhanov's music activities enjoy a vast compass. He is known for his passionate devotion to a vocal and chamber music, performing with finest singers and instrumentalists. His contribution to the Kazakhstani arts is significant. He was the first pianist who represented this country internationally. Almost every time he returns back home he presents some national premiere. Among them - Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle and jubilee recital, "Prokofiev. Alma-Ata. 1942-1943", featuring all the piano scores that Prokofiev wrote during his residency in those years. He has been a faculty member at the Moscow Conservatory for four years assisting his eminent professor.
Since 2002, Mr. Yerzhanov lives in the US where he made his recital debut at the Dean Lescher Center for the Arts in the San Francisco Bay Area. Subsequently, he sat as a jury member at the US Open Music Competition and played several concerts in San Jose, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, as well as with the Kazakh Symphony and Astana National Opera Orchestras. This season Mr. Yerzhanov will appear with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and in recitals in San Francisco, Thousand Oaks and Palm Springs.
