| BIOGRAPHY (full version)

As a piano duo Irina and Maxim have played since 1998. At that time they studied in Moscow State Conservatoire named after P.I.Tchaikovsky in the class of professor, Honoured artist of Russia Elena Richter. She was the student of Henrich H. Neuhaus and also continued his famous piano school traditions. One of the work, which has played a very important role in duo's music formation was "Symphonic Dances" - the last masterpiece of the great Russian composer S.Rachmaninov. This work has predetermined the further direction of Irina's and Maxim's music development. They often turn to symphonic genre, have a propensity towards large forms, display brightly conducting principles and reproduce orchestral colors and sounds. In their repertoire there are some popular symphonic pieces, arranged for two pianos by Maxim.

The first success came on the 2nd All-Russian Open Chamber Ensembles Competition named after S.Taneev (Kaluga, 1999). Irina and Maxim took the 3rd prize there. Since that time they have started their concert activity. New compositions and new impressions compelled to look from another point of view at two-piano genre. Step by step it took more and more important place in their artistic life.

Later Irina and Maxim entered the chamber ensemble class of the wonderful musician, the winner of many International competitions, Moscow Prize Laureate in literature and art, professor, People's artist of Russia Alexander Bonduryanskiy. All duos' future success is connected with the name of their teacher.

At the International piano competition "Rome - 2000" young musicians got the 2nd prize and special jury's prize for the best performance of modern composition. Irina and Maxim also became the Laureates of the 2nd and 3rd prizes in "solo piano" section.

In 2001 - 2002 the pianists finished Moscow State Conservatoire and entered Post-graduate course in the class of A.Bonduryanskiy. At the same time Irina continued solo piano education at the Post-graduate course in the class of E.Richter.

The result of their musical searching, increasing of the repertoire and the accumulation of artistic experience was the 1st prize on the 18th International competition of chamber ensembles "Provincia di Caltanissetta" (Italy, Caltanissetta, 2003). The same year duo enlarged the geography of concert tours. They performed in philharmonics and concert halls of Moscow, Yaroslavl, Niznii Novgorod, Cheboksary, Kaluga, Surgut.

After the competition musicians started to work at the debut CD. It has become the expression of their admiration of Rachmaninov's music. Irina and Maxim have recorded "6 pieces for 4 hands" îð.11, the 1st and the 2nd Suites op.5 and op.17. Among many concerts of that year it is necessary to notice their first tour abroad to Germany (Berlin), participation in Rachmaninov's Festival (Tambov), Irina Archipova's Festival (Ostashkov), "Evening in Monrepeau" Festival (Vyborg), also performing in philharmonics of Vladimir and Tashkent.

The spring 2005 brought the 1st prize at the 14th International Schubert competition for piano duets (Czech Republic, Jesenik).The duo also received special Jury's prize for the best performance of Schubert work. Right after the competition musicians had a very successful concert tour to Germany (Welzheim, Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart).

The ensemble's repertoire was increased greatly with the music for piano duet. In summer 2005 they issued the second CD with the music by classical-romantic composers (W.A. Mozart Sonata F-dur KV 497, F. Schubert "Fantasia" f-moll op.103, F. Mendelssohn "Allegro Brilliant" op.92, E. Grieg "Norvegian Dances" îð.35).

In 2005 - 2006 Irina and Maxim work at the third CD with the symphonic music by Russian and European composers in transcription for two pianos. The duo was invited to the opening ceremony of the 5th All-Russian Chamber Ensembles festival in Syzran and the 2nd International Open Chamber Ensembles Competition named after S.Taneev in Kaluga. Also in 2006 they performed in Kurgan, Belgorod, Murmansk, Chelyabinsk. The first concert tour to USA (Kentucky, Ohio) passed with a great success. Irina and Maxim charmed the audience with the music of Borodin, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Grieg, Brahms, Dvorak, Debussy, Ravel and Gershwin.

One of the most important event in duo's artistic life was the participation in the 54th ARD Competition (Munich, 2005), where they got the 3rd prize. Together with Tchaikovsky Competition (Russia), Queen Elizabeth Competition (Belgium), Margarita Long - Jacques Thibaud Competition (France), Van Cliburn Competition (USA) ARD Competition is the leader and significant competition in the world. It was a great success of the Russian piano duo school. Since 1980 no one duo from USSR and Russia could receive any prize at this prestigious music contest. Irina and Maxim also received special "Alice Rosner Fondation" prize for the best performance of Bartok's Sonata for two pianos and percussions. Performing this Sonata together with Phillip Jungk and Alexander Gloeggler at prize winners concert in Prinzregententheater, which was broadcasted live on Bayerischer Rundfunk was "Bravura culmination" (Süddeutsche Zeitung) of the concert. Such valuable international recognition gives an impulse to new aspirations and heights.

In 2006 – 2007 Irina and Maxim continue concert activity. Performances in Saint-Petersburg and Tula brought new admirers to the duo. They are also invited to the II International Festival ‛Baltic Piano Duos‛ in Saint-Petersburg (April 2007).

In September 2006 Irina started her teaching activity in Russian Academy of music named after E.Gnessina. This has become a very important step in an art becoming of musicians. This has brought not only great experience, but also good result - Irina’s students Natalia and Alexey Ryabchenko got the II prize at the IX International competition of young pianists, piano duos and chamber ensembles named after M.V.Yudina, Saint-Petersburg. Maxim's invitation to the XVth Piano Duos Schubert Competition in Jesenik (Czech Republic) allowed for the first time to stay ‛from other side‛ of a competition. Before the competition Irina and Maxim held very successfully master-classes in the Conservatoire of Ostrava. And the performance right after the master-classes was one of the brightest events in a concert life of the Conservatoire. Also the concerts, which have followed after competition in Germany (Köln, Stuttgart) passed with a great success.

Irina Silivanova was born in Kurgan. She began music education in Kurgan music school in a class of Larisa Nalimova, than continued in Kurgan Music College under the leadership of the honored teacher of Russia Lyudmila Martynova. In 1997 Irina entered Moscow State conservatoire at the class of professor, Honoured artist of Russia Elena Richter. She graduated from conservatoire in 2002 with a distinctions and also Post-graduate "solo piano" course in 2004. Together with this she graduated from Post-graduate "chamber ensemble" course under the leadership of professor, People's artist of Russia Alexander Bonduryanskiy.

Since 2006 Irina is a leading chamber ensemble teacher in Russian Academy of music named after E.Gnessina. Several of her students have got prizes on different International competitions.

Maxim Puryzhinskiy was born in Moscow. His first music steps were done in music school with Natalia Sanovich. After this Maxim entered the Academic Music College under Moscow State conservatory in a class of Vera Horoshina. Later in 1996 became a student of Moscow State conservatoire also at the class of Elena Richter. Maxim finished conservatoire with a distinctions in 2001 and graduated from Post-graduate "chamber ensemble" course under the leadership of professor Alexander Bonduryanskiy in 2003.