Musical Journeys with Alexander Chaplinskiy

On Sunday, October 20, at 3 p.m. Montauk Library presents “Musical Journeys: Ukraine, Crimea” a concert by pianist Alexander Chaplinskiy.

Dubbed “The Rock Star Pianist” by Operawire, Alexander Chaplinskiy was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. Having appeared at Montauk Library this past spring as accompanist for vocalist Cristina Fontanelli, he is returning to the library to present a solo concert of works by contemporary classical composers Sergei Bortkiewicz (1877-1952), Volodymyr Ptushkin (1949-2022) and Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Since 2022, he has been featured as a special guest artist at a number of charitable events in support of Ukrainian national sovereignty.

Chaplinskiy was chorus master and accompanist at the Mikhailovsky Theater, St. Petersburg State Conservatory and St. Petersburg University. His noteworthy concerts include a piano recital at the St. Petersburg University. In addition, Chaplinskiy won third prize at the prestigious Russian National Musical Competition in choir conducting.

As a finalist in the Forte International Music Competition, he came to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall. Subsequently, he became an artistic advisor, coach, pianist and accompanist in association with Spotlight Artists Management and Production where he developed special programs, including the Russian Opera Society’s Russian Music Masterpieces and Eugene Onegin and Holiday Greetings in 2021.

Born in Kharkov (Kharkiv), Russian Empire (now Ukraine) to parents who were members of the Polish nobility, Sergei Bortkiewicz was a Romantic composer and pianist. His compositions were influenced by Liszt, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Wagner and Ukrainian folklore and music.

Volodymyr Ptushkin was born in Luhansk, Ukrainian SSR. Ptushkin’s distinctions include being named Honored Artist of Ukraine as well as laureate of the All-Ukrainian, the Kosenko Competition, the Slatin Municipal Prize and the International Composition Competition for the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg. Ptushkin’s music, due to its simplicity and relative modernity, has become well known internationally.

Jean Sibelius, a Finnish composer of the late Romantic period, is widely regarded as his nation’s greatest composer. His music is credited with helping Finland develop a strong national identity when the country was struggling after attempts at Russification in the late 19th century.

The concert is free and open to the public. Visit Eventbrite to register or montauklibrary.org/events. Montauk Library is at 871 Montauk Highway in Montauk.