This transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Sam Wisman: First of all, welcome back to Kansas City.
Behzod Abduraimov: Thank you.
SW: You're one of the best known graduates from Park University's International Center for Music. As you look back on your time here, what stands out to you?
BA: Well, I mean, everything all of my time that I spent here from the beginning. It's hard to believe, but it was 17 years ago. That's when I came here. I was 16 years old…first time to move from home.
I have the most fond memories of being here, of the environment, to really focus on music, on studying, on developing as an artist.
One of the main reasons was, of course, my professor, Stanislav Ioudenitch. I felt very, very comfortable here.
SW: And what had you been told about Kansas City before you came, and what was your reaction when you got here?
BA: Well, of course I knew The Wizard of Oz from my childhood. I heard that it's a very green, very peaceful city and very friendly, which was exactly that.
SW: Obviously, music was your focus here.
BA: Absolutely.
SW: What are some of your favorite memories or activities while you were here, outside of music?
BA: Well, I guess just seeing the American culture. I didn't have this cultural shock as they say, because I was surrounded by very friendly people and a lot of people from Uzbekistan and then we spoke Russian, which I speak as well. So it was easy to kind of blend in.
SW: And what did you do for fun?
BA: We would just gather with friends, or Stanislav would cook some Uzbek dishes. But I remember that I was working very hard. I was practicing a lot and studying.
I always say that it was one of my best decisions I've ever done to come to Kansas City and study with Stanislav.
SW: Can you tell me more about why you thought it was such a good decision?
BA: Well, now since many years have passed, I can mention that I had full scholarships to the Juilliard School, a few major London music schools and also the option to go to the Moscow Conservatory.
But, suddenly Stanislav heard about me. I obviously knew about him. I knew that he was the gold medalist of the Van Cliburn competition, but I'd never met him. I was 15 years old and I was about to go to Juilliard. It was July 2006.
And then somehow I get this call and I'm invited to take part in a master class at the International Piano Academy at Lake Como in Italy. So I went there and I still remember my first time playing for him. I played the Mephisto Waltz by Franz Liszt. I was very courageous you know; as fast, as dramatic as I could. That's how I played. I was there with my sister, so she said to both of us, “major talent, but we have to work a lot.” That's what he said.
I mean, the things he showed me, the things he talked about, it was a discovery for me. I've never heard those things on the piano.
SW: You've already accomplished quite a lot in your career. What else do you want to do? Is there a dream gig that you would like to play or some other project that you would love to be a part of?
BA: As you know, the piano repertoire is infinite. There's so much music to play. One lifetime is not enough to cover all the repertoire.
I did play-conduct Beethoven's first piano concerto and Mozart’s Rondo in London with the English Chamber Orchestra. I loved the experience. It was amazing.
I wish I had more time to learn conducting and to do those kinds of things because I'm quite busy with playing my own repertoire.
SA: So maybe you'll come back as “Maestro Abduraimov” sometime?
BA: Perhaps one day.
Behzod Abduraimov performs with Shah Sadikov, the orchestra from Park University's International Center for Music and Kansas City's NAVO on Friday, September 20th at 7:30pm at the Folly Theater. Tickets and more information can be found at icm.park.edu.
