Internationally acclaimed pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk inducted into the St Andrew’s Cathedral School Hall of Honour.
At our annual Evening of Celebrating and Prizegiving (ECAP) in December 2024, the School was incredibly proud to induct Old Andrean (OA), Alexander Gavrylyuk (OA2002) into the St Andrew’s Cathedral School Hall of Honour. This is in recognition of his remarkable achievements and enduring legacy as one of the world’s foremost pianists.
Born in Ukraine in 1984 and holding Australian citizenship, Alexander (Sasha) began his piano studies at the age of seven and gave his first concert performance when he was nine years old. At the age of 13, Alexander moved to Sydney and joined St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Year 9 on a music scholarship.
Alexander lived in Sydney until 2006. During that time, he won First Prize and the Gold Medal at the Horowitz International Piano Competition in 1999, First Prize at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in 2000, and the Gold Medal at the Arthur Rubinstein International Masters Competition in 2005.
As a recitalist, Alexander has performed at renowned venues all over the globe, including Musikverein in Vienna, Wigmore Hall in London, Tokyo Opera City Hall, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the City Recital Hall in Sydney. He has appeared at many of the world’s foremost festivals, including Bravo! Vail, Mostly Mozart, the Ruhr Festival and the Kissinger Sommer International Music Festival. Alexander is currently Artist in Residence at Chautauqua Institution in the USA.
“Music comes the furthest in revealing that perhaps on a deeper level we are all quite similar: when the audience reacts in one wave of emotion – that to me is the most incredible and inspiring thing.”
“Not many things in this world can unite people – I think that music comes the furthest in revealing that perhaps on a deeper level we are all quite similar: when the audience reacts in one wave of emotion – that to me is the most incredible and inspiring thing,” said Alexander.
Alexander was invited to attend ECAP in December and his visit was a real honour. Following his induction into the Old Andrean Hall of Honour, he enthralled our School community in Sydney Town Hall with his spellbinding performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Sonata No.2 in – Flat Minor, Op.36:11 Non allegro Lento.
The Hall of Honour is reserved for those who exemplify the School’s ethos and achieve exceptional international acclaim. Past inductees include notable figures such as aviator Charles Kingsford Smith (OA1914) and opera singer Stuart Skelton (OA1986). Alexander now joins this esteemed group for his unparalleled contributions to music.
“It was a privilege to be in the presence of true musical genius. We are blessed to count him as one of our Old Andreans.”
“Music is the language of the soul and Alexander’s performance deeply moved the soul of our community. It was a privilege to be in the presence of true musical genius. We are blessed to count him as one of our Old Andreans,” said Dr Julie McGonigle, Head of School.
All graduates of St Andrew’s Cathedral School are lifetime members of the Old Andreans Association. The OAA Council is made up of Old Andreans who are enthusiastic about keeping school connections active. They meet regularly to facilitate events, reunions and to support the Old Andrean and School community.
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Find out more about Alexander Gavrylyuk and the Old Andreans.
