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Does it not get confusing for
Milana to practice and perform with two Dmitrys?
Milana:-- Fortunately,
both of them have different nicknames. Dmitry Kouzov
is known as Dima (pronounced Deema) and Dmitry Lukin
is called Mitya (pronounced Meetya). So trust me, that
makes it much easier. Otherwise can you imagine what
confusion it would create when we play works by Dmitry
Shostakovich?
What kind of instruments do the
Dmitrys play?
DK: Mine is a 19th
century French cello made by N. F. Caussin.
DL: I was recently
given the Francesco Gofriller violin (1734) from the
Juilliard Rare Instrument Collection. It has a sweet
and powerful tone that I am very very happy and excited
about.
How long do you practice?
DL: We obviously practice
individually as well as a group. During tours we get
more chance to practice, so it varies from 1-2 hours
a day. Otherwise I personally put in an additional couple
of hours for myself.
DK: My average is
3 hours a day. But then there are days when I have had
6-8 hour sessions also.
Milana: Same as what
the guys said, anywhere from 2-4 hours a day.
Why is it called Piano Trio?
Why not three pianists?
Milana:-- I am sure
everyone, including us, has wondered about that at some
stage. In classical music, Piano Trio is a technical
term for Piano accompanied by two strings. This term
was developed primarily during Haydn and Mozart's time.
Piano was the main instrument that time and the violinist
and cellist just played what the pianist played. Many
selections were written for this combination. As music
developed, composers started giving equal and sometimes
greater importance to the violin and cello, but the
name "Piano Trio" stuck and that is why the
term is still the same.
DK: Egos of three pianists
would not fit in a tour van. One is bound to kill the
other. :)
Besides english,
what all languages do you all speak?
DK: Russian and Finnish
DL: German and Russian
Milana:-- Italian,
Russian and Romanian
Why are you called
Manhattan Piano Trio?
Milana:-- Manhattan reflects the diversity
in our group. I am a Moldovan born American, the Dmitrys
are Russian-Americans, our Manager is an Indian-American.
Between us we speak over eight languages. So we wanted
a name that represents this blending and since Manhattan
is the ultimate melting pot, we thought it would be
an ideal name for us.
DK:-- All other names
were taken. :)
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