Presenting - Ilya Yakushev Live on Stage
Pianist Ilya Yakushev, with many awards and honors to his credit, continues to astound and mesmerize audiences at major venues on three continents.
The British label Nimbus Records released Ilya's CD, “Prokofiev Sonatas Vol. 1” CD. The American Record Guide wrote, “Yakushev is one of the very best young pianists before the public today, and it doesn’t seem to matter what repertoire he plays–it is all of the highest caliber.”
Ilya has performed in prestigious venues worldwide, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York), Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco), and Sejong Performing Arts Center (Seoul, Korea), Great Philharmonic Hall (St. Petersburg), and Victoria Hall (Singapore). His performances with orchestra include those with the San Francisco Symphony, BBC Concert Orchestra, Boston Pops, Rochester Philharmonic, Utah Symphony, and many others. In 2025-26, dozens of engagements bring Ilya from New York City to the West Coast and beyond for recitals, concertos and chamber music. He has performed with members of the renowned St. Lawrence String Quartet, and has an active duo with cellist Thomas Mesa, winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Prize and the Sphinx Organization’s Medal of Excellence, its highest honor.
Winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition which took place in Cincinnati, OH, Ilya received his first award at age 12 as a prizewinner of the Young Artists Concerto Competition in his native St. Petersburg. In 1997, he received the Mayor of St. Petersburg’s Young Talents award, and in both 1997 and 1998, he won First Prize at the Donostia Hiria International Piano Competition in San Sebastián, Spain. Ilya was a recipient of the prestigious Gawon International Music Society Award in Seoul, Korea.
Ilya studied with legendary pianist Vladimir Feltsman at the Mannes College of Music in New York City.
He is a Yamaha artist.
Ilya Yakushev
Ilya Yakushev — Raves from Presenters
"Lisa, Our profound thanks for putting us together with Ilya.
He absolutely killed last night. A superb performance for what I believe is the largest audience we've had since pre-covid days . . . They loved the music and his artistry, of course. But the extra element that he brought to the evening was something we rarely see: his relaxed and welcoming way of engaging with the audience in presenting the music. As a side gig, he ought to give seminars to performing musicians on how to engage with audiences." —Art Scott, Del Valle Fine Arts Association, Livermore, CA
"He’s great Lisa. Just delightful. He was on fire! The audience went nuts. Intermission ovation (and of course at the end as well). He is so thoughtful and intelligent, both at the piano, and in person. People just loved him, and the program. Thanks so much." —Natalie Neuert, Director, University of VT Lane Series
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"It was spectacular. The audience absolutely loved him. If I had to single out one part of it, it would be his performance of Pictures at an Exhibition, but others might choose Rhapsody in Blue. We would love to bring him back in a season or two. So personable as well as a great artist. Thanks, Lisa, for facilitating his concert." —Tom Wakely, Hawaii Concert Association
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"I want to adopt Ilya. Best solo pianist we’ve ever had, fantastic program, and he was so engaging and endearing - WOW!" — Lee Ellen Harder, BIG Arts, Sanibel, FL
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"Ilya was spectacular! The audience was amazed by his skill and energy. And he is also extremely personable, both on stage and previously at supper with our committee. In sum: a total, excessive success."
—Peter Bien, Director, Webster Concerts, Hanover, NH
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"Hi Lisa -
Ilya treated the audience to a fantastic performance, both verbally and pianistically. His mastery of the pieces he played was evident as well as his knowledge of the historical background for each selection, which he explained to the audience to increase their appreciation. Many audience members commented on how informative the slide show was that accompanied Pictures at an Exhibition.
I believe that he encouraged and inspired many young piano students who met him during the intermission and after the performance. He sold more CDs than any previous performer at the Bankhead. We thoroughly enjoyed having him and are looking forward to his return to Livermore in a future performance." —Dan Moore, Del Valle Fine Arts Assciation, Livermore, CA
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"Your playing is really extraordinary, your technical prowess is tempered by such sparing, yet humanizing use of rubato. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I also have been flooded with texts, emails, and calls, from attendees that were completely enthralled by your performance. Thank you!
Shall we cook up a scheme for the future? Many thanks, Brett"
—Brett Wellman Messenger, Curatorial Director of Live Arts, The Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ
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"The student outreach program that Ilya Yakushev did at Bow High School on March 124,2025, was fabulous. The school auditorium, which seats around 600 people, appeared to be full, and the students appeared to be enthusiastic and very appreciative. This program gives me confidence that we can do more student outreach programs in the future. Thank you for arranging for this wonderful student outreach program." —Brian Graf, Concord Community Concert Association
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"It was a great success. The capacity audience demonstrated rapt attention throughout the performance. You could hear a pin drop in the quiet passages, followed by enthusiastic applause. Ilya is such an effective communicator both verbally and musically. One person told me she had tears in her eyes and she was probably not the only one that was true of. Thank you for getting him to us."
—Gary McLaughlin, Artistic Director, The222 at the Paul Mahder Gallery
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"Hi Lisa, Ilya's performance was awesome and he was so nice and easy to work with!"
—Peter Muller, Director of Events, Center for the Arts, Colorado State University
In Familiar Music, a Pianist Shows What He Can Do [HEADLINE]: Mr. Yakushev can do just about anything he wants . . . superb control, bringing the music to the brink of hysteria and the piano’s capacity for noise making, without ever letting it get away from him.”
—New York Times
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“Electrifying Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev perform[ed] Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No 2 . . . Yakushev pounced on his instrument like a wild Siberian tiger, his thundering opening chords crisp and exact . . . impressive tonal range and ability to turn on a kopeck between imperative gesture, that invokes the music's dramatic passion, and delicate lyricism that simultaneously reveals its tender heart . . . The third section Allegro con fuoco teems with life and joy. So, too, did Yakushev who, as an innate showman, clearly enjoys performing this work. His animated delivery included playing—pun intended—with the orchestra as they traded short musical riffs back and forth. At the end of his performance . . . the audience immediately leapt to their feet for the Russian dynamo.”
—Winnipeg Free Press (Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra)