Dmitry Onischenko Pianist Date of Birth: 15.10.1979 Country: Latvia

1. Dmitry Onishchenko: A Ukrainian Pianist in Moscow
2. The Journey to Moscow
3. Falling in Love with Moscow
4. Embracing Moscow's Atmosphere
5. Navigating Administrative Challenges
6. Proudly Embracing Ukrainian Culture
7. An Eastern Ukrainian with a Western Mentality
8. Passions in Moscow

Dmitry Onishchenko: A Ukrainian Pianist in Moscow

Dmitry Onishchenko is a talented Ukrainian pianist who is currently residing in Moscow, the capital city of Russia. Born and raised in Ukraine, Dmitry has achieved great success in the field of music, becoming a laureate of numerous international competitions and the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition. Recently, Dmitry participated in a concert in memory of his Moscow teacher, Lev Naumov, where he shared his experiences of living and studying in Moscow with our correspondent.

The Journey to Moscow

Five years ago, after winning a prestigious piano competition in Kharkiv, Dmitry expressed his desire to study in Moscow or Europe, rather than in Lviv. To his surprise, he received the fifth prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, despite being only 19 years old and not expecting such recognition. Shortly after, Dmitry had the opportunity to study in Moscow when a private sponsor agreed to cover his tuition fees for the first two to three months. However, when he faced financial difficulties, Dmitry found himself in a chance encounter with Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, who generously supported him by paying for his education for two years. Dmitry is immensely grateful for this unexpected assistance.

Falling in Love with Moscow

Dmitry confessed his adoration for Moscow, stating that one should love cities, like people, simply for who they are. Despite occasional moments of feeling insignificant due to financial challenges, his relationship with Moscow remains mostly positive. Dmitry also mentioned that he had no language difficulties, as he is fluent in both Russian and Ukrainian, having studied Russian in school when it was compulsory throughout the territory of the former Soviet Union.

Embracing Moscow's Atmosphere

Dmitry considers Moscow to be a city that astounds with its scale, from its vast streets to the magnitude of its events. He especially loves the atmosphere surrounding the Moscow Conservatory, where he frequently performs, as well as the surrounding areas such as the Zoo, Presnya, and Nikitsky Boulevards, and Patriarch's Ponds. These places hold a special place in Dmitry's heart, as they have become an integral part of his personal space.

Navigating Administrative Challenges

Dmitry faced administrative challenges in Moscow due to the strict registration rules at the time. Previously, individuals were only allowed to stay in Russia for three days without registration, and the registration process itself took one to two weeks. This posed difficulties for Dmitry, who had a busy concert schedule. Nowadays, with the registration period extended to 90 days, Dmitry manages his schedule strategically, ensuring that he does not reach the maximum limit before leaving for concerts and returning to Moscow afterwards.

Proudly Embracing Ukrainian Culture

Dmitry actively participates in Ukrainian cultural events in Moscow, performing concerts at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Arbat Street. The center's management always welcomes him warmly, and he takes part in evenings organized by Vera Fedorchchenko, which resemble Ukrainian salons. Regarding Ukrainian cuisine and traditions, Dmitry admits that he lives a simple student life in Moscow and does not have the means to frequent Ukrainian restaurants. However, he proudly embraces his Ukrainian heritage.

An Eastern Ukrainian with a Western Mentality

Dmitry believes that he embodies characteristics from both eastern and western Ukraine. His surname, for instance, reflects his eastern Ukrainian roots. In terms of mentality, Dmitry finds that western Ukrainians are closer to European standards of behavior, emphasizing etiquette over genuine emotions, especially within intellectual circles.

Passions in Moscow

Aside from his musical pursuits, Dmitry has developed a love for poetry during his time in Moscow. He is particularly fond of the Silver Age of Russian poetry, with poets such as Alexander Blok, Nikolay Gumilyov, and Ivan Bunin capturing his admiration. Dmitry also has a fascination with the night sky and possesses extensive knowledge of stars and constellations. Furthermore, his time in Moscow has sparked an interest in psychology. Whenever he visits a new country, Dmitry feels compelled to learn the basics of the local language, including greetings, thank you, folk songs, and welcome speeches, as it allows him to better connect with the culture. Just recently, Dmitry returned from Latvia, where he learned to count to one hundred in Latvian, and during his time in Japan, he was able to deliver a speech in Japanese.