Andrius Zlabys is a Lithuanian classical pianist and conductor who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and innovative programming. Born on May 22, 1977, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zlabys showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano at the age of six. He quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the instrument and was soon performing in public concerts and competitions. Zlabys continued his musical education at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he studied under the renowned pianist and pedagogue Vera Gornostaeva. He also received guidance from other notable musicians, including the pianist and conductor Vladimir Krainev and the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. In 1995, Zlabys won first prize at the International Balys Dvarionas Piano Competition in Vilnius, which marked the beginning of his career as a professional musician. He went on to win numerous other awards and accolades, including the Grand Prix at the International Piano Competition in Senigallia, Italy, and the Special Prize for the Best Performance of a Contemporary Work at the International Piano Competition in Porto, Portugal. Zlabys has performed as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated with some of the most distinguished conductors of our time, such as Valery Gergiev, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Leonard Slatkin. One of the highlights of Zlabys's career was his performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre in London in 2007. The concert was hailed as a triumph by critics and audiences alike, with The Guardian describing Zlabys's playing as "exquisite" and "sensitive." In addition to his work as a pianist, Zlabys is also an accomplished conductor. He has conducted many orchestras, including the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also served as the principal conductor of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and the artistic director of the Vilnius Festival. Zlabys is known for his innovative programming, which often combines classical repertoire with contemporary works and other genres of music. He has collaborated with jazz musicians, rock bands, and electronic music producers, and has performed at festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Glastonbury Festival. Zlabys has also been active as a composer, with several of his works receiving critical acclaim. His compositions range from solo piano pieces to orchestral works, and often incorporate elements of Lithuanian folk music and other traditional styles. Throughout his career, Zlabys has been committed to promoting classical music and supporting young musicians. He has served as a jury member for many international music competitions and has taught masterclasses at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Juilliard School in New York. Zlabys's recordings have been released on major labels such as Deutsche Grammophon, Naxos, and Ondine, and have received widespread critical acclaim. His discography includes solo piano works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Liszt, as well as chamber music by Brahms, Shostakovich, and Schnittke.

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