Pavel Ilyashov

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The Current | January 11, 1999

Violinist reaches for greatness

At the age of six, Pavel Ilyashov didn't want to become a violinist.

"I wanted to be a construction worker or plumber or something," Ilyashov said. "I was always staring out the windows at the big trucks that passed by."

However, thirteen years later, Ilyashov is an accomplished violinist who has won an international competition, has played with numerous ensembles, has studied with some of the greatest music teachers, and has recorded an album with his older sister.

Pavel Ilyashov, 19, was born in Minsk, Byeloruss. He was born into a musically talented family. His father Yuly Ilyashov plays the violin, and his mother Zena and older sister Maria play the piano. His father started teaching him the violin when he was six years old.

"At first I was horrible, and my father was about to quit teaching me after a few months. But my mother wanted me to continue and soon they saw some talent," he said.

At the age of nine, Ilyashov won an international competition in Italy. The family moved to the United States when Ilyashov was 10. The family, being Jewish, felt that their children would have better opportunities in the U.S. They moved to St. Louis to join family members. Ilyashov has been taught by many great violinists including Nina Boder, Kurt Sassmannshouse, Dorothy DeLay, and David Halen. He is currently studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with Jamie Larado and Ida Kadafian. Ilyashov said he has never stopped learning from his father.

"My father is a one bloody hell of a fiddle player," he said. "I'm always getting tips on how to be a better musician. Practicing at home is never safe."

Right now Ilyashov said he is focusing on learning to play the violin well. He said he is working on overcoming some of his technical weaknesses and becoming more solid on stage. Ilyashov practices between six and eight hours a day.

He will be performing in concert, accompanied by his sister Maria, Jan. 17, 1999 at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. The concert is part of the Premiere Performance Series sponsored by the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

"I'm excited about the performance," Ilyashov said. "There are some gorgeous pieces in the first half and some technically challenging pieces in the second half. I'll only be playing for an hour and a half, but, in that period of time, I'll play about two-billion notes."

The program includes works by Beethoven, Brahms, Sarasate, Wieniawski, and Paganini. "I feel strongly about all the pieces being played. I have great respect for the music. This music was written by some of the greatest violinists ever," he said.
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