Антон БАТАГОВ  ABOUT

Radio BBC characterized him as one of the most unusual and significant musicians of his generation.

Anton Batagov, born October 10, 1965 in Moscow, studied with Anna Kantor at the Gnessin School (piano) and with Tatiana Nikolayeva at the Moscow Conservatory (piano and composition). Prize-winner at four competitions: Concertino-Prague (1981), the All-Soviet Piano Competition (1985), the Tchaikovsky Competition (1986) and the Sydney International Piano Competition (1988). Performances in Russia, most European countries and the U.S.A.

His creative position is opposite that of a "philarmonic tuxedo musician". A focal point of Batagov's concepts is its link to the post-Cagean philosophy, which cancels boundaries between the notions performance and composition by viewing all existing musical practices, from ancient music to rock / pop culture, as potential elements which might be used when performing / composing virtually any piece of music. His post-minimalist aesthetics "might be mapped between Philip Glass' hot urban jungle and Morton Feldman's icy alpine heights". (The Moscow Tribune). Batagov's music is a continuation of the old Russian music tradition and may be unmistakably labeled as Russian.

Batagov is the first Russian musician to play John Cage, Morton Feldman, Steve Reich and Philip Glass. He also performed new Russian music.

Mr. Batagov composes works for acoustic and electronic instruments. He is the author of several soundtracks for the movies directed by leading Russian directors. He had also composed over 500 tunes for the NTV channel. At present he works as a chief composer at the RTR channel (NTV and RTR are the two biggest Russian TV companies).

For ten years Anton Batagov had been one of the leaders and organizers of Alternativa, the annual international new music festival in Moscow.