Azamat Sydykov

"Aza Sydykov" born 1986 in Bishkek (Frunze), formerly USSR, now Kyrgyz Republic) is a Kyrgyz concert pianist.

Aza Sydykov was born into a musical family in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, a former Republic of the Soviet Union. His mother, Alymkan Sydykova for many years served as Dean of Choral Conducting at Beishenalieva State University of Arts. His father, Djumakadyr Kanimetov, is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor at Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater.

His formal musical education began at the age of 7 when he entered the National School of Music in Bishkek, where he studied with Svetlana Krivopalova. At age 14, he moved to Russia, where he was accepted into Central Music School of Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where he studied with Professor Anatoly Ryabov. In 2004, he entered Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory where he studied under the tutelage of great Russian pianist, Professor Nikolai Arnoldovich Petrov.

A member of the International Academy of Creative Endeavors in Moscow, Sydykov has been the recipient of many awards and prizes including the first places in national and international music competitions in the Kyrgyz Republic; First Prize at the Musician of the 21st Century International Piano Competition in Kazakhstan; First Prize and the Grand Prize at the Euterpe International Piano Competition and the Euterpe Chamber Music Competition in Italy in 2009. He has been a fellow of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, the New Names Foundation, and the Nikolay Petrov International Philanthropic Foundation.

Sydykov made his debut with the National Philharmonic of Russia under the baton of Vladimir Simkin at the Great Hall of the Moscow International House of Music together with world-renowned pianist, Andrei Gavrilov. In addition to his performing career, Sydykov was the artistic director and organizer of many music festivals and concerts, including the Musical Friendship Necklace International Festival, which was held for two years in the White Hall of the Saint Petersburg State Polytechnic University from 2009-2010. In 2010, Sydykov was the artistic director of a concert series in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, dedicated to the 170th anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s birth.

He has performed all over the World, including Germany, Turkey, Finland, Iran, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ukraine, China, Italy, Spain and the United States, and has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Great Hall of The Moscow Conservatory, the Great Hall of the Moscow International House of Music, Great Hall of the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic, the Palace of Nations in Geneva, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. His recordings with the Kyrgyz State Symphony Orchestra of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto, Liszt's First Piano Concerto, and Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto were entered into the Golden Archive of the Kyrgyz National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation.

In 2012, he received an Honorary Diploma of the Kyrgyzstan from President Roza Otunbaeva. The first President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev, played a special role in Sydykov's fate when he gave his full support to the young pianist after noticing his budding talent. Over twelve years, young Sydykov accompanied the President during his state visits, and performed before many heads of state. In subsequent years, Sydykov and the President bound a warm friendship, meeting again in Moscow, where President Akaev lived following his presidency. Popular opinion concerning the former President of Kyrgyzstan notwithstanding, Sydykov continues to openly express his respect for and gratitude to President Akaev.

Since 2011, Sydykov has lived and studied in the United States, where he was discovered by Professor Pavlina Dokovska, Chair of the Piano Department at the Mannes School of Music in New York City. Professor Dokovska, who described him as “a pianist of uncommon sensitivity, technical verve and refinement beyond his years,” invited him to study at the prestigious school where he received a full scholarship to pursue his Professional Studies Diplom. In early 2013, he was awarded the New School University’s Presidential Scholarship and Schoenberg Piano Stipend to pursue a Master of Music degree at Mannes.

In May 2014, Sydykov made history with his solo debut recital at Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall as the first appearance by Kyrgyz artist in Carnegie Hall’s history, where he performed world premieres of works by Kyrgyz composers. In October 2015, he performed again at Carnegie Hall at the behest of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Aza Sydykov plays a key role in preserving the cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan and promoting music by Kyrgyz composers. He also actively builds and strengthens connections between Kyrgyzstan and the United States through the newly established Kyrgyz American Foundation, where he serves as the President. He is also the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Wilmington Music Festival and Summer Academy in North Carolina.

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