Alexander Gavrylyuk

Ascribing one’s own meaning to music is dicey stuff. If songs can be misunderstood (see Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the

These days, pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk is reading Eastern philosophy, Russian acting methodologies and modern musicological research. The connection, for him,

Alexander Gavrylyuk isn’t giving himself a break. Less than a week after performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the

A new Amphitheater … and new hall. The debate over the replacement of the old (so strange to write!) Amphitheater

Many consider a week at the Chautauqua Institution a vacation, a chance for relaxation. For some, this comes in the form of engaging in social dialogue or listening to lectures; for others, it means watching the waves of Chautauqua Lake lap against grass and sand. For Alexander Gavrylyuk, a visit to Chautauqua assumes no less than performing in front of thousands of spectators hanging on every whim of his keyboard.

In the past two weeks, the Chautauqua School of Music has held master classes with some of the most seasoned professionals in the music industry. These teachers have had successful solo and chamber music careers, and most hold positions in the most prestigious conservatories in the country. Alexander Gavrylyuk is also a seasoned professional, soloing at major concert halls around the world and winning all the big-name competitions. Gavrylyuk holds his own on the list of distinguished master class coaches, but he’s only in his 20s.

Guest conductor Robert Moody and pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk have never met, but they have a common goal: They want everyone in the Amphitheater to experience a shared musical journey. Moody, Gavrylyuk and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra perform at 8:15 p.m. tonight. “We’re in on it together,” Moody said. “We are not performing for you; we are joining in on a journey with you in the audience.”