Irena Gulzarova

| Switzerland - Uzbekistan

Irena Gulzarova can be heard on world-renowned concert stages and festivals, such as Carnegie Hall, Tonhalle in Zürich, Grafenegg Festival, and Oxford Piano Festival. She has successfully collaborated with such conductors as L. Foster, V. Spivakov, K. Orbelian, D. Kitayenko, K. Urinbaev, E. Azimov, A. Shokhakimov, and others. For many years, Irena Gulzarova has performed with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Tonkunstler Orchestra of Lower Austria, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Basel Symphony Orchestra, and the Uzbek Philharmonic Orchestra. Her passion for chamber music is reflected throughout the performances together with musicians like R. Buchbinder, M. Maisky, V. Repin, I. Gringolts, D. Hope, and others. Irena's repertoire spans from pieces by J. S. Bach to contemporary compositions. She actively promotes new music and has introduced numerous world premieres by many composers worldwide, including D. Andres, D. Saidaminova, B. Gysin, and D. Varelas. I. Gulzarova was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1982 and received her first piano lessons at the age of six. Irena first performed on stage at the age of eight and when she reached age of thirteen, she already was performing on the tour in several Germany cities. While studying at the V. Uspensky Specialized Central Music School, she won first prize at the International Piano Competition in Palma de Mallorca; this was followed by invitations to perform in Spain, Italy, Germany, England, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Russia. She later received the first prize and the audience award at the International Piano Competition in Salerno. Irena began her studies at the V. Uspensky Specialized Central Music School, where her teachers were Lyudmila Mermelstein and Alla Kim. Continuing her education, she became a student of prof. Marat Gumarov at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, and then further refined her skills under guidance of prof. Rudolf Buchbinder at the Basel High School of Music. I. Gulzarova has received various awards, including the Best Debut of 2004 nomination given by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the Presidential Scholarship of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2004. From 2020 to 2021, I. Gulzarova organized series of chamber concerts in Zürich. From 2023, I. Gulzarova took an important role by becoming a president of the association Youth Inspired (orig. Jugend beflügelt). Main focus of this association is to support young talents, and, in addition, it actively works on organizing innovative projects in the field of music. In November 2023, I. Gulzarova received a special invitation from the Uzbekistan government to perform at a reception in honour of president of France Mr. Emmanuel Macron.