In Memoriam
Nikolai Petrov
1943-2011

Nikolai Petrov, silver medalist of the First Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1962, passed away on August 3, 2011, in Moscow, Russia. He was 68.

An astounding virtuoso, he is remembered for his dazzling technical skill and the depth and insight of his musicianship. He will also be memorialized as one of the few Soviet musicians permitted to play abroad during the Cold War. Following his second prize win at the First Cliburn Competition at only 19 years old, Mr. Petrov went on to cultivate a successful career as a performer and recording artist. He often performed between 70-100 concerts a year, and appeared with every major international orchestra. In 1977, he returned to Fort Worth to serve on the jury of the Fifth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Despite many opportunities to emigrate, Mr. Petrov remained steadfastly devoted to the artistic culture of his homeland. Basing himself in Moscow, he served as a professor of piano at the Moscow Conservatory and as president of the Russian Academy of Arts with the goal of helping to develop and further the careers of the country's talented young pianists.