From Russia, With Love for Music

Fedor Malykhin, a 29-yearold violinist from Russia, arrived at the Round Top Festival Institute last week to take part in the Institute’s six-week educational program and concert series.

Following an extensive musical education in Russia, he applied and was accepted into the performance program at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts. Prior to that, he performed in a string trio for Carnival Cruise Lines. A native of Omsk, Russia, the second largest city in Siberia, Malykhin said he had to acclimate to the Texas heat.

“The first week, it was too hot for me, and humid, but now I’m used to it,” Malykhin said. “I enjoy the sunny days. The winter is very warm compared to what I’m used to in Russia. Even this winter. I’m used to minus 15, so (during the freeze) it was like a normal day.”

Malykhin’s mother is a pianist and taught him to play the piano beginning at age 4.

“When it was time for me to start music school, she talked to her colleagues and they suggested for me to play violin,” Malykhin said. “A violin player has more opportunity – orchestra, symphony, string orchestras. It’s easier to have a job than a pianist.”

Malykhin said many more musicians in Russia play piano, making the competition for music school and jobs tougher.

“Back in Russia, education for violin players focuses on solo performance,” Malykhin said. “When I came to America, I discovered for myself the world of chamber music. I played chamber music back in Russia, but it’s not considered as important as solo playing. After two years at SMU, I realized I wanted to be a professional chamber music player.”

Malykhin said he recently began learning to play the viola.

“Viola is considered a second option for violin player, because of the higher competition for violin players, but I realized I actually like playing the viola,” Malykhin said. “The viola is in between cello and violin. It’s not just for accompaniment. You can drive the group from the bottom, unlike the violin, where you just lead.”

Malykhin said he is very impressed by the talent of his fellow students at Round Top Festival Institute and the faculty.

“It is very hard to get here,” he said. “I feel very lucky.

“So far we have had one rehearsal yesterday and a sectional today,” Malykhin said when the Record spoke with him last Tuesday. “I was amazed by the energy from the faculty and conductor. They taught us how to drive the group, how to energize other people. I hope to learn how to be contagious with that kind enthusiasm. I hope to take the energy from this Festival and apply it to my life.”