XVI Chopin International Piano Competition
Hartford, CT
presented by Connecticut Chopin Foundation, Inc.
March 12-16, 2025
Michael Bulychev-Okser, USA
A top prizewinner of many international competitions in USA, Italy, Andorra, Spain and Mexico, American pianist Michael Bulychev-Okser composed and played music since the age of seven.
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At the age of 12 Michael began his first concert tour to the countries of Mediterranean, visiting Greece, Israel, Egypt and Turkey. Within 5 years New York Radio Station - WQXR’s Robert Sherman featured Michael in a Showcase Debut in a performance of Khachaturian's piano Concerto. In 1998 Michael continued his studies in composition at La Schola Cantorum, Paris, France, where he received an Honored Diploma of studies in composition under the tutelage of the famous Franco-American composer Philip Lasser, which he continued to study with until 2002. At the age of just 17, Michael was added to the distinguished list of the famous worldwide dictionary “International Who’s Who in Music and Musicians” Cambridge, England. Same year, David Dubal, author of the bestseller "Evenings with Horowitz", welcomed Michael at the Polish Kosciuszko Foundation House, to perform several works by Polish composers, naming Michael as "... the great talent...” In 2005 he received the Award for the Best Interpretation of Spanish music in Andorra, and in 2006 he was awarded the Best Interpretation Special Award for his performance of music by Franz Liszt.
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An honored alumni of The Juilliard School, Michael Bulychev-Okser collaborated with world's most notable musicians: Daniel Pollack,Victor Tretyakov, Vladimir Spivakov, Sergej Stadler, Oksana Yablonskaya, David Dubal, Borislav Strulev, Olga Makarina (Metropolitan Opera),Martin Canin, Min Kwon, and other notable musicians.
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An extensive performance schedule finds him dividing his time between Europe and the United States in both solo performances and appearances with the world’s top orchestras: including Manhattan Philharmonic, Novgorod Philharmonic, Parnassos Symphony, and Rutgers International Symphony among others.
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A recipient of “Who’s Who in Music”, “Outstanding People of the 20th century” among other Awards (Cambridge, London, 2000 and 2001 years), Michael Bulychev-Okser performed at the world’s most prestigious stages: Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, (New York), Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), La Salle Pleyel (Paris, France), Wigmore Hall (London, United Kingdom), Heichal Hatarbut (Tel Aviv, Israel), Palace (Alexandria, Greece), IBK Concert Hall (Seoul, South Korea), and Rachmaninov Hall (Moscow, Russia) and Centermex Theater (Monterrey, Mexico).
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Bulychev-Okser's discography includes recording of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, and Granados's Goyeskas (RCA label). Bulychev-Okser's New CD featuring Piano Transcriptions of Past and Future was released in December of 2012 on Neue Sterne Classical Artists Label, Hannover, Germany.
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As a composer, Michael Bulychev-Okser writes in a variety of styles and genres. His works include solo piano compositions, romances for voice and piano, various chamber works, Cantata for Chorus and several works for the large symphonic orchestra. In 1998 Richard Kimball, a prominent American composer for the jazz music presented Michael an Honorary Composers’ Award. In the same year 1998, there are followed a recital full of compositions by of Michael Bulychev-Okser. Since 2011, Michael Bulychev-Okser is an Honored Member of the American Society - Meet the Composer (New York).
Combining extensive performance activity with producing international events, Prof. Bulychev-Okser is a frequent guest at prestigious music festival and Jury member at International Music competitions.
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Michael Bulychev-Okser is a Founder, Artistic Director, and CEO of George Gershwin International Music Competition in New York, The United States.
Michael Bulychev-Okser is a Founder, Artistic Director, of Alion Baltic International Music Festival in Tallinn, Estonia, one of a kind event in Northern Europe, attracting many of the World-famous musicians, and attracting students from over 60 countries around the World.