Youri Aleksandrovich Egorov (Russian: Юрий Александрович Егоров; 28 May 1954 – 16 April 1988) was a Soviet and Monegasque[1] classical pianist.
Born in Kazan, USSR, Youri Egorov studied music at the Kazan Conservatory from the age of 6 until age 17. One of his early teachers was Irina Dubinina, a former pupil of Yakov Zak.[2]
At the age of 17, in 1971, Egorov took 4th Prize in Paris at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition. He next studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Yakov Zak.[3] Egorov remained at the Moscow Conservatory for six years. In 1974, Egorov won the Bronze Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. In 1975, he was awarded the 3rd Prize at the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium.
Egorov defected from the Soviet Union in 1976[4] while on a concert tour in Rome, Italy and travelled to Amsterdam where he was to meet Jan Brouwer (1947–1988), his long term partner.[5]
In 1977 Egorov participated in the Van Cliburn Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. He became an audience favorite. When he was not chosen as a finalist, a group of patrons and Cliburn board members formed an ad-hoc committee led by Cliburn trustee Beverley Taylor Smith and American impresario Maxim Gershunoff, which raised money equal to the Van Cliburn top prize of $10,000 to further Egorov's career by funding a New York debut. The South African Steven DeGroote took the first place award that year. Gershunoff as Egorov's American manager presented his New York recital debut in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on January 23, 1978. Three months later, he appeared in Chicago, Illinois and a critic there dubbed his performance "the debut of the decade." In July, 1978, Musical America Magazine selected Youri Egorov as their "Musician of the Month". He made his Carnegie Hall debut on December 16, 1978 once again under the aegis of Gershunoff. The concert was recorded live. Writing for The New York Times, Harold C. Schonberg said Egorov played "...in a free, romantic style, and his approach is quite different from that of so many competition winners."
In August 1979, two of Egorov's albums appeared on Billboard Magazines Best-Selling Classical LP chart. Throughout the 1980s Egorov played primarily in Europe. His last American appearance was in Florida in 1986.
Egorov was featured in the book Great Contemporary Pianists Speak for Themselves compiled by Elyse Mach. In it, he spoke candidly on the topics of rehearsal, pre-concert nervousness, artistic restrictions in Russia, and homosexuality. Sviatoslav Richter, Dinu Lipatti, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Vladimir Horowitz and Glenn Gould are among the pianists Youri Egorov cited as having influenced him.
Egorov died at his home in Amsterdam aged 33 from complications of AIDS. At the time of his death 14 recordings of his had been commercially issued, and several more were awaiting release. He is buried alongside Jan Brouwer at Driehuis Velsen Crematorium, Driehuis, North Holland, Netherlands.
Parallels have been drawn between the playing styles of Youri Egorov and Dinu Lipatti. Additionally, both men gave their final concert performances at the age of 33, each knowing at the time that he was afflicted with a fatal illness and had but months to live.
In 1989 Egorov was the subject of a VPRO Television documentary, "Youri Egorov 1954–1988" by Eline Flipse . The program won the special prize of the jury at the BANFF-televisiefestival in Canada and was nominated in 1990 for the Prix Italia.
Egorov's posthumously released CD, "Legacy 2: Youri Egorov", received the "Perfect Five-Star Rating" from CD Review Magazine.
Today, this pianist remains "in the memory of more than one music lover for the incredible delicacy and clarity of his playing".[6]
| Year | Composer | Work | Recorded at | CD, record or website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Seasons, Op. 37b (1875-1876) | VARA Studio 1, Hilversum | Radio 4 Concerthuis | ||
| 1974 | Tchaikovsky | Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 75, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, conductor Roberto Benzi | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1974 | Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43 | Tchaikovsky Competition Moscow | Melodiya MELCD1002349 (2015) | ||
| 1975 | Maes | Queen Elisabeth Music Competition BOZAR, Brussels | Deutsche Grammophon 2530 602 | ||
| 1975 | Carnaval, Op. 9 | Queen Elisabeth Music Competition BOZAR, Brussels | Deutsche Grammophon 2530 602 | ||
| 1976 | Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971 | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | ||
| 1976 | Bach | The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude and Fugue No. 13 in F-sharp major, BWV 857 | CD Astoria Stereo DP 87001 | ||
| 1976 | Bach | The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in B minor, BWV 869 | CD Astoria Stereo DP 87001 | ||
| 1976 | Etude in E Major, Op. 10, No. 3 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | ||
| 1976 | Chopin | Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1976 | Chopin | Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1976 | Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 (1868), Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, conductor Guido Ajmone-Marsan | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | LP Radio Nederland 90021/22 | ||
| 1976 | Sonata in G major, K 125 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | ||
| 1976 | Scarlatti | Sonata in D minor, K 32 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1976 | Scarlatti | Sonata in A major, K 322 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1976 | Scarlatti | Sonata in E major, K 380 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1976 | Scarlatti | Sonata in F major, K 518 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1976 | Scarlatti | Sonata in B minor, K 87 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1978 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | NOS | |||
| 1978 | Bach | Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 | Carnegie Hall, New York | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1978 | Beethoven | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | ||
| 1978 | Chopin | Étude in E major Op. 10, No. 3 | Carnegie Hall, New York | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1978 | Chopin | Étude in G-flat major Op. 10, No. 5 'Black Keys' | Carnegie Hall, New York | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1978 | Chopin | Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 | Carnegie Hall, New York | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1978 | La Campanella, S. 141 | TV Studio, Baden-Baden | Website Youri Egorov Foundation | ||
| 1978 | Fantasy in C minor KV 475 | Carnegie Hall, New York | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | ||
| 1978 | Rachmaninoff | Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Radio Filharmonic Orchestra, conductor Willem van Otterloo | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1978 | Schumann | Kreisleriana, Op. 16 | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1978 | Schumann | Novelettes Op. 21, Nos. 1 and 8 | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1978 | Bach | Italian Concerto | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1978 | Chopin | Etudes, Op. 10: Nos. 1 & 3-6 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1978 | Chopin | Scherzo No. 2 in F minor, Op. 31 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1978 | Mozart | Fantasie in C minor, K. 475 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1978 | Schumann | Carnaval, Op. 9 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1978 | Debussy | Images Book 1 - Reflets dans l'eau | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1978 | Liszt | Paganini Etudes - La Campanella | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena | First Hand Records FHR47D (2016) | |
| 1979 | Chopin | New York | Musical Heritage Society 4493 | ||
| 1979 | Schumann | Fantasy in C major, Op. 17 | The Netherlands | Globe GLO 6015 | |
| 1979 | Tchaikovsky | RAI, Amsterdam | 'Beeld en Geluid' Archive (video) | ||
| 1980 | Bach | Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 2 Canal Grande CG 9214 | |
| 1980 | Sonata (1926) | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 2 Canal Grande CG 9214 | ||
| 1980 | Chopin | Études, Op. 10 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 2 Canal Grande CG 9214 | |
| 1980 | Mozart | Fantasy in C minor, K. 475 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA | First Hand Records FHR 44 (2016) | |
| 1980 | Schumann | Fantasy in C major, OP. 17 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA | First Hand Records FHR 44 (2016) | |
| 1980 | Chopin | 12 Etudes, Op. 25 | Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA | First Hand Records FHR 44 (2016) | |
| 1981 | Brahms | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | ET'CETERA KTC 1469 | ||
| 1981 | Bartók | Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano, Op. 21 (1923) Emmy Verhey, violin | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | MP3 Download | |
| 1981 | Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 (1886/88) Emmy Verhey, violin | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | MP3 Download | ||
| 1981 | Chopin | Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1981 | Chopin | Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1981 | Chopin | Nocturne in E minor, Op. Posth. | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1981 | Chopin | Nocturne in F-sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1981 | Chopin | Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1981 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 4 Canal Grande CG 9216 | |||
| 1981 | Sonata No. 8 in B-flat major, Op. 84 (1939-1944) | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 3 Canal Grande CG 9215 | ||
| 1981 | Violin Sonata in A major, D. 574 (1817), Emmy Verhey, violin | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | MP3 Download | ||
| 1981 | Schumann | Papillons, Op. 2 | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1982 | Beethoven | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 4 Canal Grande CG 9216 | ||
| 1982 | Beethoven | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | ||
| 1982 | Chopin | Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1982 | Schubert | Sonata in C minor, D. 958 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | ET'CETERA KTC 1468 | |
| 1982 | Schumann | Carnaval, Op. 9 | EMI Records Ltd. | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1982 | Schumann | Toccata in C major, Op. 7 | EMI Records Ltd. | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1982 | Chopin | Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, Op. 21, Utrecht Symfony Orchestra, conductor David Zinman | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | ET'CETERA KTC 1469 | |
| 1983 | Brahms | Intermezzo in A minor Op. 118, No. 1 | Philips Essential Recordings 464 375-2 | ||
| 1983 | Brahms | TROS | Philips Essential Recordings 464 375-2 | ||
| 1983 | Brahms | Intermezzo in F minor Op. 118, No. 4 | TROS | Philips Essential Recordings 464 375-2 | |
| 1983 | Estampes (1903) | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | ||
| 1983 | Debussy | Images Book 1, Reflets dans l'eau | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1983 | Debussy | Préludes Books 1 & 2 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1983 | Sonata No. 2, Op. 64 (1942) | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | Legacy 3 Canal Grande CG 9215 | ||
| 1983 | Schumann | Arabeske in C major, Op.18 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam | DHR WH001 [2016, Limited Edition] | |
| 1983 | Schumann | Kreisleriana, Op.16 | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam. | DHR WH001 [2016, Limited Edition] | |
| 1983 | Debussy | Préludes - Book I | Concertgebouw Grote Zaal, Amsterdam. | DHR WH001 [2016, Limited Edition] | |
| 1985 | Mozart | Piano Concerto No.17 in G Major, KV 453, Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1985 | Mozart | Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, KV 466, Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1985 | Schumann | Arabeske, Op. 18 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1985 | Schumann | Bunte Blätter, Op. 99 | Abbey Road Studios, London | EMI Classics 50999 2 06531 2 5 | |
| 1986 | Brahms | ET'CETERA KTC 1469 | |||
| 1986 | Babadjanjan | Bilder für Piano (1965) | De IJsbreker, Amsterdam | Legacy 3 Canal Grande CG 9215 | |
| 1987 | Beethoven | Andante favori in F major | VARA Studio 1, Hilversum | Legacy 4 Canal Grande CG 9216 | |
| 1987 | Brahms | Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34, Glinka Quartet | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | Radio 4 Concerthuis | |
| 1987 | Miroirs (1905) | De IJsbreker, Amsterdam | ET'CETERA KTC 1520 | ||
| 1987 | Schubert | Piano Quintet in A major 'Trout Quintet', D. 667, Orlando Quartet | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | NCRV | |
| 1987 | Schubert | Six moments musicaux D. 780 | Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, Amsterdam | ET'CETERA KTC 1468 | |
| 1988 | Brahms | 6 Pieces for piano, Op. 118 | Private recording | Website Youri Egorov Foundation |