Vladimir Tropp

Vladimir Manuilovich Tropp is a Soviet and Russian pianist, a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, and the head of the special piano department at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. He is also a researcher and popularizer of classical music and the works of numerous composers. He was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation in 1998.

Born on November 9, 1939, in Moscow, Tropp began his musical education at the Gnessin Moscow Children's Music School under Sofia Viktorovna Devenishskaya and later at the Gnessin Moscow Secondary Special Music School with Moisey Emmanuilovich Feigin. In 1963, he graduated with honors from the Gnessin Moscow Musical-Pedagogical Institute, where he studied piano. He continued his postgraduate studies at the same institution until 1967, under the guidance of Professor Teodor Gutman.

Immediately after completing his studies, Tropp began his teaching career at his alma mater and is now one of the leading professors at the Gnessin Academy. Since 1997, he has been the head of the special piano department there. In 2002, he also became a professor in the special piano department at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory. Tropp frequently gives master classes internationally in countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, the USA, Finland, England, Ireland, South Korea, and Taiwan, and has served as a jury member for various international competitions.

Tropp's concert career began while he was still a student. Since 1970, after winning the sixth prize at the George Enescu International Competition in Bucharest, he has been performing constantly, both in solo recitals and with orchestras and chamber ensembles. His particular specialty is the music of the 'late Russian romantics,' including Alexander Scriabin (whose 24 preludes he performs), Sergei Rachmaninoff, Nikolai Medtner, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. His repertoire of foreign composers includes works by Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, and Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto.

While he seldom performs obscure works, his interpretations of well-known pieces are noted for their distinctive approach, artistic taste, and virtuosic technique. Tropp is also a respected musicologist, often accompanying his solo performances with lectures on the composers whose music is featured. He hosted the Russian television program 'On the Trail of Rachmaninoff' and co-created films about the composer for British and Russian television. He has also authored numerous radio programs about prominent 20th-century performers, including a major series titled 'Great Pianists of the 20th Century' for Radio Orpheus.

Vladimir Tropp has released over 10 albums featuring music by Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Medtner, and miniatures by Russian composers. His wife, Tatiana Zelikman, is a distinguished pianist and teacher. His son, Vladimir Vladimirovich Tropp, is also a pianist, musicologist, and educator. On May 18, 2021, Tropp was awarded the Medal of the Order 'For Merit to the Fatherland' II degree for his long-standing and fruitful contributions to the development of national culture and art.

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