Tatiana Nikolaeva is one of the brightest names of Russian musical culture of the last century. A brilliant pianist, who won world fame, an outstanding pedagogue, composer, musician ... God generously gave her not only the unsurpassed musical talent, but also a rare kindness, flaming heart, deep humility and infinite love of music what now is rarely found among professional musicians.Having came from the Bryansk region to Moscow at the age of thirteen and entered the Central Music School, Tatiana Nikolaeva enraptured Alexander Goldenweiser by her talent and became his favorite pupil. She always uttered name Goldenweiser with a deep sense of respect. "He taught me not only to play the piano, he taught me how to live, to see life in all its aspects" – she said about her teacher in the interview.
The traditions of Russian piano school were given her "at first hand". Naturalness and great simplicity, the absence of any external affectation, structural alignment, impeccable rhythmic will and at the same time inner freedom, shining with a unique beauty continuous flow of melodic singing - these qualities of her performance manners became apparent already during her studies in the class of Goldenweiser.
And then - the rapid creative growth. In 1945 she won the first prize at the Philharmonic contest dedicated to the 30 anniversary of the death of Scriabin. In 1947 - the second prize at the First World Festival of Youth and Students in Prague. That year Nikolaeva graduated with honours the piano faculty of Moscow Conservatory and in 1950 – composer’s one, having received for her degree work – the First piano concerto - the USSR State Prize. Her name is carved on marble conservatory slab, where the names of its best graduates were. And then, from the late 1940's, her semicentennial concert marathon begins. She played the first solo concerts at Small Hall of the Conservatory, striking the Moscow audience by large and exciting programs.
The real triumph of Tatiana Nikolaeva was her victory at the First I.S. Bach International Competition in Leipzig in 1950. Being quite young pianist, Nikolaeva caused a sensation when she proposed the jury the choice of all 48 preludes and fugues from "Well-Tempered Clavier" of Bach. The German music press immediately christened her as "Queen of fugues". Another important event besides getting the first prize and gold medal, was meeting with D. Shostakovich - one of the members of the Bach Competition’s jury. Nikolaeva treasured this long-standing friendship all her life. She was the first who performed 24 Preludes and Fugues written by Shostakovich immediately after the contest. She often recorded them on plates, promoted them throughout the world. This great music accompanied her to the last minutes of her life.
The whole article read in the Musician I 2010.
Translated by Natalia Kornilova