Ashkenazy began his studies at the age of 6 and showing prodigious talent, was accepted at the Central Music School at 8. A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, he won second prize in the prestigious International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1955 and shared first prize in the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition with English pianist John Ogdon. He is celebrated for his intelligent and well thought-out interpretations. He often recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra; two of these recordings were of the Emperor Concerto by Beethoven, and a number of Rachmaninoff pieces (including his Second Concerto).
He has recorded the complete 24 Preludes and Fugues of Shostakovich, and Chopin's entire works for piano.
Midway through his pianistic career, Ashkenazy branched into conducting. His performances of the Sibelius symphonies have been lauded in particular. He was the principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1987 to 1994, and in 1998 he became principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held until September 1, 2003.
Vladimir Ashkenazy is currently President of the Rachmaninoff Society.
An excellent resource covering Ashkenazy's musical philosophy and opinions on many other subjects is the book Beyond Frontiers (New York: Atheneum, 1985) which he co-wrote in 1985 with his associate Jasper Parrott.
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Awards and Recognitions
Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance:
* Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lynn Harrell & Itzhak Perlman for Beethoven: The Complete Piano Trios (1988)
* Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lynn Harrell & Itzhak Perlman for Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor (1982)
* Itzhak Perlman & Vladimir Ashkenazy for Beethoven: Sonatas for Violin and Piano (1979)
Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra):
* Vladimir Ashkenazy for Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87 (2000)
* Vladimir Ashkenazy for Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit; Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte; Valses Nobles et Sentimentales (1986)
Prelude in C sharp minor Op.3 No.2
Vladimir Ashkenazy Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rainbow come late
These bitter days
So stupid mate
I'm sick of you
Looking at me
Stop laughing and crying
I'm not mean
Djejjdjdj
Hahhahaha
Bananas
Snnsndn
Bananas
Jsnsjsjs
Prelude
Stop it forever I love you too just don't laught at the floor
Four five six eight
Counting numbers in a repetitive manner
Rainbow come late
Expressing disappointment in the delay of a hoped-for positive outcome
These bitter days
Suggesting dissatisfaction with current circumstances
So stupid mate
Addressing another person as foolish or ignorant
I'm sick of you
Feeling fed up or frustrated with someone or something
Looking at me
Feeling observed or judged by others
Stop laughing and crying
Requesting cessation of emotional expression
I'm not mean
Disavowing malicious intent towards others
Smoke
Word without clear meaning, possibly indicating confusion or distraction
Djejjdjdj
Non-sensical combination of letters, likely indicating confusion or distraction
Hahhahaha
Suggestive of amusement or laughter
Bananas
Word without clear meaning, possibly indicating confusion or distraction
Snnsndn
Non-sensical combination of letters, likely indicating confusion or distraction
Bananas
Word without clear meaning, possibly indicating confusion or distraction
Jsnsjsjs
Non-sensical combination of letters, likely indicating confusion or distraction
Prelude
Referring to the title of the musical composition being discussed, suggesting a shift in direction or focus
Stop it forever I love you too just don't laugh at the floor
Requesting permanent cessation of a certain behavior while expressing affection for another person
Contributed by Julian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.