Russian Musician Holds Piano Recital at As-sembly Hall

Robert Mariskin during the performance

The Embassy of the Russian Federation and the Lebanese-Russian Friendship Association recently organized a piano recital by the international Russian pianist, Robert Mariskin. Held on November 28 at Assembly Hall, the program featured six select masterpieces from the repertoires of Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert.

Mariskin's compositions were beautifully delivered, and the tempestuous yet exquisite notes of his two final pieces vitalized even the most tired of listeners. The sixty-minute recital was punctuated with several rounds of applause, culminating with a standing ovation for the Russian virtuoso. Appreciative remarks came from professors and students alike: one student, in spite of her upcoming midterms, had been anticipating Mariskin's concert since she first learned about it from the AUB Calendar of Events. In the same spirit, Professor Michael James Dennison from the English Department said the performance was a remarkably soothing respite after a long working day.

Born in 1976, Mariskin graduated from the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, where he currently teaches the piano. The 31-year-old musician first left his mark on the international circuit of classical music when he won the first prize in the Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Paris. He has performed in different countries and cultural capitals around the globe.