Alexander Gavrylyuk Embraces Sydney Life and Musical Diversification
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Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, originally from Ukraine and now a Sydney resident, discusses his appreciation for the city and his commitment to expanding his musical repertoire beyond Russian composers.
From Global Stages to Sydney Shores
Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, renowned for his performances of Russian repertoire, has found a lasting home in Sydney, Australia. Initially planning a temporary stay during the pandemic, Gavrylyuk, his wife, and their two daughters decided to remain in the city due to their strong connection to it.
“We got too attracted to Sydney. We loved it here too much… so we are staying,” Gavrylyuk stated, noting that his daughters had also begun schooling in Sydney.
Having previously lived in Germany and the Netherlands for 13 years, Gavrylyuk’s decision to settle in Sydney marks a significant shift in his personal and professional life.
Expanding Musical Horizons
As he approaches middle age,Gavrylyuk is actively pursuing new artistic challenges,including a deliberate effort to broaden his performance repertoire beyond the works of Russian composers.
“I’m so fortunate to have a huge repertoire but I am passionate about diversifying,” he explained. Gavrylyuk acknowledged that his background can sometimes lead to an expectation that he will primarily perform Russian composers’ works.
He recently highlighted the programming choice by the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) to pair Shostakovich with George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Gavrylyuk described this pairing as a “masterstroke,” contrasting the “darker perspective from the Soviet era” with the “wonderful exuberance, the swagger… the lack of constraints” found in Gershwin’s homage to American musical diversity.
‘We got too attracted to Sydney. We loved it here too much … so we are staying.’ Photograph: Bec Lorrimer/the Guardian
