Today we’d like to introduce you to Anton Igubnov.
Hi Anton, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Anton Igubnov, I am 36 years old, and I am a professional pianist and educator. I have been professionally involved in music my entire life, performing solo, with orchestras, and with other soloists in various countries across Europe, Asia, and North America. I am a laureate of numerous international competitions and a recipient of government awards.
I received my education in Moscow, graduating from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. For some time, I worked there as an educator, combining my teaching activities with a concert career.
In 2017, I began working at the Japanese university Kurashiki Sakuyo University as a professor.
In 2022, I decided to move to the United States, where I started everything anew. Currently, I am actively developing my own music studio while simultaneously performing concerts at various venues in Houston and Austin. I also serve as a jury member for various music competitions.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path of a musician (like any other artist) is never easy.
Firstly, every concert, every performance is like winning the Olympic Games. But unlike athletes, we have to do this not once every four years, but every single time we step onto the stage. We must always be at the top, be the best version of ourselves, not let emotions take control, and not let circumstances throw us off course. The audience genuinely doesn’t care what’s happening backstage—the show must go on. Only then is there a small chance to grow professionally, personally, and emotionally. After all, if there is no progress, it means you are moving in reverse, and that is the most unpleasant thing. Endless replication of accumulated knowledge and skills is why some artists fade away, having stopped their development.
Secondly, even if an artist is incredibly resilient to stress, not susceptible to doubt or depressive states, consistently stable in terms of quality, patient, and hardworking—this in no way guarantees them career success. Success itself guarantees nothing; it is a combination of simultaneously favorable factors, generously lubricated with luck and seasoned with charisma.
From these perspectives, my path has been no harder and no easier than that of other musicians, but one thing I can say for sure is that to start a completely new life after 30, moving to another continent and leaving behind certain achievements and accumulated reputation, requires courage and a healthy dose of recklessness.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I combine my teaching activity in my studio (lessons in various music disciplines such as music theory, music history, and piano) with my concert career.
The most significant event for me was the US premiere at the University of Houston (UoH), where I performed my own concert transcription of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances for solo piano. (The composer originally intended this work for orchestra or two pianos).
I believe that my rich international experience in performing and teaching, combined with the depth of Russian cultural traditions, makes my niche quite unique here in the Texas musical landscape.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I would be very interested in collaborating with other musicians and/or musical ensembles. Houston has a large number of symphony and chamber orchestras, music ensembles, festivals, and projects, and I believe we have a lot to offer each other.
And, of course, I am always happy to help students prepare for competitions, exams, concerts etc.
The best support would be to make as many musicians as possible aware of me (or my work), as I believe this is the key to future success.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14MKkbNTU5y/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-igubnov-pianist?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
