Few contemporary pianists have received quite the acclaim that has been bestowed on Alexander Gavrylyuk in recent years. Born in Ukraine, Gavrylyuk moved to Australia at the age of 13 and lived in Sydney until 2006. He has been described as “a world class pianist” by The New York Times, “vivid and characterful” by Gramophone, and “the most compelling pianist of his generation” by Limelight. In 2003, when he was just 19, Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy described him as “an extraordinary talent”. Gavrylyuk and Ashkenazy would go on to collaborate extensively, recording Prokofiev’s five Piano Concertos with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2011. Now based in the Netherlands, the virtuoso concert pianist is preparing for a return to Sydney, presenting a solo recital at City Recital Hall in Sydney this June. Limelight caught up with him to talk about his love of the Romantics and the return to live performance.

Alexander Gavrylyuk Alexander Gavrylyuk. Photograph supplied

First things first, how has the pandemic been for you? You’re based in the Netherlands, how has...