New MSU Piano faculty member Stanislav Khristenko is committed to cultivating talent and tailoring his approach to meet each student’s unique needs and aspirations. Photo: Janez Marolt
Pianist Stanislav Khristenko will join the Michigan State University College of Music faculty beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, bringing a wealth of experience from a career full of performances in prestigious concert halls and recording studios, among other musical activities.
Described as a “poet of piano” by Le Soir (Belgium), Khristenko has garnered acclaim for his musicality and technical prowess. Reviews from reputable publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Gramophone laud his “emotional intensity,” “charismatic expression,” and “precise technique.”
Khristenko is a prizewinner in over thirty international piano competitions, and he has performed with renowned orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, National Orchestra of Belgium, and Madrid Symphony Orchestra, among others. His performances span from solo recitals at Carnegie Hall and Vienna Konzerthaus to collaborative endeavors in venues like the Berlin Philharmonie and Moscow Conservatory Great Hall.
“It is an honor to be offered a piano professor position at MSU and have the opportunity to share my passion for piano and knowledge that I have acquired throughout my career in music,” he said.
Khristenko received his early musical education in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where he was born, before pursuing further studies at Moscow Chopin College, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and later, the Cleveland Institute of Music.
“Teaching is not just a job but a mission. I am extremely grateful to my piano teachers Vera Gornostaeva and Sergei Babayan for their dedication and every moment I could learn from them,” Khristenko said. “It is very important to share knowledge with the younger generation, and I look forward to passing on piano traditions of my teachers to the students at Michigan State University.”
In addition to his performance career, Khristenko’s passion for education and mentorship is evident. His commitment to cultivating talent is underscored by his belief in tailoring his approach to meet each student’s unique needs and aspirations.
“My first experience meeting students at the MSU campus was extremely exciting and inspiring on both professional and personal levels,” Khristenko said. “It was not only the highest performance level that I witnessed during my masterclass, but also a friendly and supportive community of students who are eager to learn.”
Khristenko has recorded six solo albums, and as a Steinway Artist he has a significant presence in the Spirio recording catalogue.
After meeting MSU piano students while conducting a master class, Stanislav Khristenko said he was impressed by the high performance level of the students and the friendly, supportive community. Photo: Janez Marolt
His dedication to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment in all facets of music bodes well for students aspiring to reach their full potential.
“We are very excited to welcome Stanislav Khristenko to our faculty,” said Professor of Piano and Chair of the Keyboard area Deborah Moriarty. “His experience as a performer and dedication to musical education will be an invaluable help to our students on their musical journey.”
Outside of performing and teaching, Khristenko is active in music in many ways. He co-founded, for example, the KharkivMusicFest in his hometown in Ukraine in 2018 which presents top classical musicians as well as unique projects including Festival Orchestra, classical music conference, Children’s Orchestra, and artist-designed pianos for interactive public display. He also founded Nova Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra of Ukraine that performed works of over forty composers in its first three seasons.
When Khristenko joins the faculty of the College of Music officially in August, students can expect to see that level of ambition and sense of adventure in person: a skilled performer and devoted instructor ready to mentor and guide them to new heights.
