Astonished and amazed by the mastery of Nikita Burzantisa who I had heard two years ago.The transformation from a rebellious student in the class of Dmitri Alexeev to a pianist with not only a technical mastery but where this is placed at the service of a poetic fantasy of ravishing stylish beauty. It is combined with a devilish, menacing drive with a palette of colours and character that is exhilarating and inspirational .

‘Ondine’ wafted around this noble edifice, a stones throw from the hustle and bustle of Euston station. Transformed by this young artist into pastures with waters of crystal clarity where Ravel’s naughty water nymph could wallow with serenity and capricious wistfulness. We could almost see the gallows in ‘Le Gibet’ with the noose swinging in this desolate atmosphere where Nikita found the most spine chilling colours of counterpoints I had never been aware of before . The bell tolling in the distance with an insistence of masterly control . ‘Scarbo’ unleashed the devilish menace that was exhilarating as it was frightening . A mastery that was of fearless abandon but with impish gasps taking us by surprise at every corner . A masterly performance that left me overwhelmed and excited that this young man could have had so much talent concealed within him whilst he came to terms with life in a foreign city.

Prokofiev’s second of his war sonatas was like a red rag to a bull in this young artists hands . There was menace and driving insistence with Prokofiev ‘s spiky rhythmic notes thrown at us with unpardonable relentlessness. Suddenly there was a momentary truce as an uneasy outpouring of poignant mellifluous sounds were wafted around the piano only to be ignited by the end of this momentary cease fire. An Andante that flowed more than I am used to, but with a freedom of improvised astonishment that such beauty could still exist .Cascades of notes were but streams of beautiful sounds that were suddenly interrupted by violent interjections that seemed to have no place in such a visionary landscape.

The whispered insistence be brought to the driving rhythm of this famous moto perpetuo was astonishing because it was ‘sotto voce’ with violent interjections like missiles hitting their target . But as the movement became ever more anguished and angry Nikita threw himself into the fray with masterly, fearless abandon that was breathtaking for its audacity .

Two masterly performances by an artist who has come to terms with his new life and is ready to reveal the wonders that have been hidden within him for too long . Hats off and welcome to a great artist on the horizon.

Nikita Burzanitsa in Perivale with refound authority and mastery

Nikita Burzanitsa

2025 Winner of the Newbury Spring Festival Sheepdrove piano Competition

Nikita Burzanitsa was born into a family of musicians in Donetsk, Ukraine. He started playing piano at the age of 7 with Professor Nataliya Chesnokova. Since 2008 he has studied in Special Music for Gifted Children in Donetsk, Ukraine. In 2015 he acquired complete general secondary education at Comprehensive School of I-III stages No.9 of Toretsk Town Council of Donetsk Region and was awarded with the golden medal “For High Academic Success”(Toretsk, Ukraine). In 2015 he received Full Scholarship at Wells Cathedral School and studied with John Byrne (UK, Somerset).

In 2017 Nikita received Full Scholarship in Donetsk State Conservatory (Donetsk, Ukraine) and a Double Scholarship which includes the Milstein Medal Award Holder supported by International Students House at the Royal College of Music (London, UK).

In 2020 Nikita became a student of Dmitrii Alexeev at the Royal College of Music. In October 2021 he became a Talent Unlimited scholar (London,UK), and in November 2021 he became a scholar of the Piano Charitable Trust, which supports young pianist around the world. In December 2021 received the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship, which covers full tuition fees for each year of the Masters course at Royal College of Music (London, UK).

In 2022 and 2023 he became a scholar of Drake Calleja Trust (London,UK), and in 2023 he received a full scholarship at the Royal College of Music to study the Artist Diploma with Dmitri Alexeev. Throughout his time in education he has participated in international festivals and competitions.

Nikita has also performed solo recitals in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, France, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain; also he played with symphonic orchestras under the batons of conductors: Nikolay Dyadura, Vladimir Sirenko, Vyacheslav Redya, Natalia Ponomarchuk, Sergey Lihomanenko, Anatoliy Rybalko, Vadim Vilinov, Erzhan Dautov, Oleg Bahtiozin, Alexander Dolinskiy, Vladimir Zavodilenko, Roman Moiseev.

The Sheepdrove Piano Competition is now firmly established as one of the important piano competitions in the UK.

NIKITA BURZANITSA has won the 2025 Sheepdrove Piano Competition

Established by the Sheepdrove Trust in 2009, the competition is open to candidates aged 26 and under from the eight major UK music colleges. Heads of department are invited to submit suitable candidates for the competition.

The competition is remarkable in many ways, one of which is the fact that there is no cost to entrants, with the Sheepdrove Trust covering all candidates’ travel, subsistence and accommodation expenses for the weekend competition.

The students are invited to the Sheepdrove Eco Centre for the competition weekend in the rolling Lambourn hills. The first rounds are judged in private during Saturday. The shortlisted finalists are then invited to stay overnight, and decide on a final recital programme in consultation with the judges.

On the second day of the competition the four finalists perform in the public final, which is encompassed within the Newbury Spring Festival. Five prizes are awarded at the end of the public final, including an audience prize.

The overall winner stays overnight again, and is invited to give a public recital on the following day as part of the Festival’s Young Artists Lunchtime Recital Series at the Corn Exchange, Newbury, for which they receive an additional fee.

The judges for 2025 are:

Rupert Christiansen
Music critic and writer, and Director, Robert Turnbull Piano Foundation

Mark Eynon
Director, Newbury Spring Festival

Mikhail Kazakevich
Russian pianist and Professor of Piano, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance

Lucy Parham
Pianist

Elena Vorotko
Artistic Director, The Keyboard Charitable Trust

David Whelton
Former Managing Director, Philharmonia Orchestra

The back of beyond -Bright future for the class of Dmitri Alexeev -Jacky Zhang-Alexander Doronin-Nikita Burzanitsa-Thomas Kelly -JunLin Wu

Interview with Nikita for Talent Unlimited :

1- Since 2008 you have studied in Special Music for Gifted Children in Donetsk in the class of the prof. N. Chesnokova (Don­etsk, Ukraine). How do you remember this period and master?

I am very happy with the role Professor Chesnokova played in my development which is seen as I still continue my studies with her alongside Professor Alexeev at the Royal College. Particular repertoire that she helped me with the most include Rachmaninoff Corelli Variations and Tchaikovsky Concerto No.1.

2- Is your family musical?

Yes, my mother was a concert pianist and is now a professor at Donetsk State Con­servatory and the Special Music School for Gifted Children, Donetsk. My father is a prominent trumpeter in Ukraine, working for the Orchestra of the Philharmonic Hall Donetsk.

3- In 2015 you were awa­rded with the golden medal “For High Academic Success” (Toretsk, Ukraine). How did this honour feel like?

It was a great achievement for me, although unfortunately it did not have much bearing on my musical career.

4- In 2015 you received a Full Scholarship in Wells Cathedral School and studied with prof. John Byrne (Somerset, UK). How do you remember this period and master?

This was a great experience for me, especially as it was my first time in the UK. I am very grateful to professor Byrne who helped me a lot in Wells Cathedral School and supported my studies culminati­ng in my move to London Royal College.

5- You are currently studying with prof. Nataliya Chesnokova Donetsk State Conservatory. How is this progressing?

My studies with Professor Chesnokova are progressing well, she has been very helpful preparing me for competitions and concerts, especially in Romantic repertoire.

6- In 2020 you started to be a student of Dmitrii Alexeev at the Royal College of Music. How is this prgressing?

It was my dream to study with professor Alexeev when I arrived in London, and I have inspired a lot grow as a musician since joining his class.

7- What are your fondest musical memories, privately or performing?

One of my fondest memories is of performing Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No.2 in Kyiv Philharmonic Hall as a part of the winners concert of Sberbank debut competition chaired by Denis Matsuev. A recent performance I can mention is this September in the Vienna Musikverein

8- How often do your practice?

I am trying to practice every day between 4 and 6 hours when it is possible.

9- Would you consider teaching music in the future?

Yes I would like to teach in the future if I have the opportunity. It is really nice for me to share my knowledge of piano playing with students, and to pass on the teaching I have received from my professors; Byrne, Chesnokova and Alexeev.

10- How do you balance your time commitments in terms of study and performance? What are the biggest sacrifices?

I usually focus on my piano practice above other commitments such as academics. Especially when preparing for important concerts or competitions it is vital to be single-minded about practice hours. To this end I must often sacrifice social time and leisure ac­tivities, while I strive to maintain my academic standards.

11- What advice would you give music students at the beginning of their journey?

Put practice at the centre of your life, pay attention to everything your professor says, and push yourself to the maximum.