after the master class at the University of Culture & Arts

In December 2010, Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin and Natalia Bolshakova from the University of Missouri gave a recital of American music for trumpet and piano at the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts, at the invitation of Professor Vasili Matveichuk, dean of the orchestral department at the school. The program included works of Joseph Turrin, Kent Kennan, Richard Peaslee, and Leonard Bernstein. Turrin’s Two Portraits received its Russian premiere.  The recital was followed by the question and answer session and a short master class.

A few days later, Akhmadullin gave a master class at his alma mater, Moscow State Conservatory.  One of the trumpet professors at the conservatory Andrei Ikov introduced Akhmadullin as the first Russian-born trumpet player in many decades since Max Schlossberg and Vladimir Drucker to make a teaching career in the United States.  At the master class, Akhmadullin worked with students of Prof. Vadim Novikov and Prof. Andrei Ikov and discussed various aspects of trumpet playing and pedagogy.

Later, the Moscow Military Music College, where cadets enter the four-year college at the age of fifteen, hosted Akhmadullin for another master class.  He was invited by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Sknarin, chair of the school’s brass and Percussion Department, and trumpet professor Ahat Samadov.

Vadim Novikov & Akhmadullin after the master class at the Conservatory

Ahat Samadov, I. Akhmadullin, cadet Roman Sonets