The Shalamov Piano Duo, established in 2009, is an astonishing example of a special musical formation: two individual pianists, musicians and artists, performing in an extraordinary symbiosis; two personalities, with their individual ideas and emotions, unified in their music making.
Winning the 1st prize at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in September 2015 is surely one of their most extraordinary recognitions. Alina and Nikolay not only received the highest evaluation from the jury, but were also awarded the audience prize, as well as the prize for the best performance of the obligatory composition by Ferran Cruixent, commissioned especially for the competition that year. This success has now become part of the 64 year old history of the ARD Competition during which only three first prizes have been awarded in the Piano duo category.
Alina and Nikolay began playing together as a duo in Bulgaria, under the supervision and direction of Professor Milena Mollova, a world renowned Bulgarian pianist and one of the few students of the legendary Emil Gilels. In 2011 Duo Shalamov moved to Madrid (Spain) after being accepted at the prestigious school of music “Reina Sofia”. For the period from 2011–2013, the young couple had the chance to expand their repertoire and work with a number of great musicians. Their studies in Madrid were rewarded by being invited to play at the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid, and at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona – two of the most important concert halls in Spain. In 2014 Alina and Nikolay proceeded with their Master studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, having the wonderful opportunity to extend their musical knowledge and experience while studying with Prof. Hans-Peter und Prof. Volker Stenzl, both renowned musicians and pedagogues themselves.
In 2016 the duo made its debut in the renowned Henry le Boeuf concert hall in Bruxelles, giving a recital as part of the Steinway Prizewinner Concerts series.
The concerts of the duo have been broadcast by various radio and TV stations, to name but a few: ARD, BR, NDR, WDR, RBB, RTBF, SWR, etc. In 2019 the duo received their Konzertexamen Diploma from the HMT Rostock, graduating with the highest possible score. At the moment both pianists reside in Berlin developing further their musical careers.
Other distinctions at competitions include:
• – 2016: 1st prize at the competition Verfemte Musik in Schwerin (Germany)
• – 2015: The Musikpreis by the Bruno Frey-Stiftung
• – 2015: 2nd prize at the 4th International chamber music competition in Ciudade de Alcobaça (Portugal)
• – 2015: 1st prize, as well as the prize for the best interpretation of a com- position by Franz Schubert at the Schubert Piano duo competition in Jeseník (Czech Republic)
• – 2013: 4th prize at the 2nd Arthur Rubinstein competition in Moscow
• – 2009: 1st prize at the International competition “Franz Schubert” in Ruse (Bulgaria)
