EMIL GILELS’ FIRST TEACHER YA. I. TKACH AND HIS ROLE IN THE ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE PIANIST

Modern musicology shows a significant interest in studying the ancestry of great musicians. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the origins of the performing style of outstanding pianists and to comprehend the process of artistic continuity between generations. Like many remarkable Russian pianists, the outstanding virtuoso Emil Gilels was influenced by various pianistic schools. The famous G. G. Neuhaus played a decisive role in the formation of the artist’s performing style. It is also interesting and valuable to appreciate the influence that Gilels’ first piano teacher had on him. Ya. I. Tkach belonged to the rather small Chopin branch of European pianism. Despite certain historically and personally determined pedagogical costs, it was Tkach who laid the foundations of pianistic culture for the young musician and perspicaciously predicted his brilliant artistic future.