The Russian virtuoso talks Moonlight Sonata and Ashkenazy ahead of his return to Australia.

We’ve caught you on a tour in Japan, where you’ve been a frequent visitor since you won the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition at the age of sixteen. What do you enjoy about coming back?

There are many things I admire about the Japanese passion for music, and it is a place where every single year so many cultural events take place. On this particular visit I played with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the NHK Orchestra along with a solo recital tour. I come here almost every year because the people have such a high level of music appreciation.

You’ve decided to proceed with the tour when many artists have cancelled – the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko just pulled out of a tour last week.

There was a moment of hesitation I must say – I did consult with a doctor due to the fact that I was in Ukraine at the age of 2 when the disaster at Chernobyl happened. My doctor actually advised me not to go, but knowing that the concerts were with Ashkenazy and that people were waiting for me in recital...