Faina Lushtak’s here from Tulane University in New Orleans, where she heads up the piano division. And, as any good New Orleans resident might do, she’s been known to take in shows at some of the local elite jazz clubs. This coupled with her classical music training and love of composing has resulted in original compositions such as “Old and New.” 

Faina was a child prodigy, born and raised in what was then the Soviet Union, she began her piano and composition studies at the age of six. She graduated from the Stolyarsky Special Music School for Musically Gifted Children and attended the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, where she studied with renowned teachers and earned degrees in both piano performance and composition. 

In 1978, Faina immigrated to the United States, where her performances have earned widespread critical acclaim. Reviewing her debut at Alice Tully Hall, The New York Times, wrote: "The qualities she prizes most are clarity of line and transparency of texture. Incisive clarity remained her hallmark." 

She has released several albums of classical piano music and will soon be releasing another.

Ms. Lushtak’s performance today was arranged with help from the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. 

Repertoire: LUSHTAK Sonatina; GRANADOS Spanish Dance Op. 6 No. 6; CHOPIN Prelude Op. 28 No. 15; LUSHTAK Old and New

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