Aleksandr Polyakov

My goal is to show young and aspiring artists how to independently look for the meaning of music, and joyfully bring it out to the audience in the most beautiful and soul-lifting way.

Aleksandr Polyakov joined the Conservatory in 2017 and is an instructor of piano. He is a Ukrainian-American pianist and conductor who is rapidly establishing an international reputation for his remarkable virtuosity, command of sonority, and communicative powers.

The winner of more than 20 international competitions, his notable prizes include third prize at the ninth International Liszt Competition (Netherlands), second prize at the sixth International Liszt Competition (Germany), and first prize at the Steinway Society Competition (Boston).

His numerous concerto performances include the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic under Jaap van Zweden, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine under Volodymyr Sirenko and Allin Vlasenko. In the United States he gave nine performances of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Boston Ballet Orchestra under Mischa Santora, and has had numerous performances with the Brockton and Newton Symphony Orchestras with James Orent.

Polyakov has performed in major venues of the United States, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Estonia, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, and Brazil. “Technical difficulties seem to disappear under his hands” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), and “he has the tremendous virtuosity of Martha Argerich” (Nordbayerischer Kuriernotes).

In addition to his work as a pianist, Polyakov has an international conducting career. He has worked with 17 orchestras as a guest conductor, frequently leading opera productions and collaborating with vocalists. In Ukraine, he has performed both Liszt Concertos and Beethoven’s Emperor while conducting from the keyboard. He has participated in conducting master classes with Harold Farberman and Riccardo Muti.

Polyakov is also a dedicated and sought-after pedagogue. He has taught at Music Fest Perugia and given masterclasses in the U.S., China and Europe. He often incorporates modern technologies in his teaching.

Polyakov was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and studied piano performance and orchestral conducting at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine. He earned his A.D. at Boston Conservatory at Berklee under the instruction of Michael Lewin.

Professional Awards and Recognitions

• International Opera Conducting Competition (Romania, 2015)
• International Keyboard Institute and Festival (United States, 2012)
• International Franz Liszt Competition (the Netherlands, 2011; Germany, 2009)
• New England Chamber Music Competition (United States, 2008)
• World Piano Competition (United States, 2007)
• International Piano Competition in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz (Ukraine, 2007)