Russia to pay last tribute to renowned pianist Petrov

MOSCOW (Itar-Tass) - Russia on Friday will pay a last
tribute to renowned Russian pianist Nikolai Petrov who died at 68 in a
Moscow hospital on Wednesday after suffering a stroke.
His friends, devoted admirers and world music stars will gather at
Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory to pay their last respect to the
pianist. He will be buried at the Troyekurovskoye cemetery.
Nikolai Petrov "is an example of real discipline and high creative
energy," Alexander Sokolov, the rector of the Moscow Conservatory, told
Itar-Tass. "He treated every student with gentle care and took tutorship.
Many good words can be said about Nikolai Petrov. We are proud that we
were around him and admire his art."
Petrov was born in 1943 into a family of famous musicians. He made his
international debut when he won the Silver Medals at the Van Cliburn
International Competition (USA) and the Queen Elizabeth International
Competition in Belgium. He toured around the globe playing around 100
concerts a year.
He established the Nikolai Petrov International Foundation to support
talented young musicians. He was also Artistic Director of the Musical
Kremlin International Festival.