Last night I performed Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto No.2 with The Mariinsky Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev. It was an amazing experience and the audience were very appreciative. The Mariinsky Theatre is in Vladivostok which is on the east coast of Russia, so its next to Japan. The theatre is a very big modern building with really excellent stages and practice rooms. The piano I was given for practice was a Steinway concert grand which is really unusual, normally I wouldnt be able to practice on such a lovely instrument!

Working with Maestro Gergiev was unforgettable, he has a complete understanding of the pieces he is conducting and was able to change and adapt to the way I was playing straight away. The Mariinsky Orchestra played perfectly and the combination really made an excellent performance.

I still can’t quite believe I have been given this incredible opportunity so thank you to everyone and especially Mr Denis Matsuev.