Pianist and composer Richard Kazandzhidi brings together the traditions of classical pianism with a distinctive contemporary musical voice. Rooted in the Russian school of piano playing, his artistry is shaped by a strong emphasis on sonority, phrasing, color, and expressive depth.

Richard studied at the Manhattan School of Music with Eteri Andjaparidze, Golda Tatz, and Alexandre Moutouzkine. He has appeared twice at Carnegie Hall, as well as at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Merkin Hall in New York City, Princeton University, and venues throughout the United States and Europe. His classical repertoire has been particularly shaped by the music of Scriabin, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff.

Steinway Artist David Osborne writes: “Richard is a fine pianist. He not only plays superb classical piano with wonderful technique but also jazz and pop standards impeccably. Audiences around the world love him as he speaks beautifully to guests and fans.”

Beyond the concert stage, Richard has developed a broad body of recorded work spanning classical, neoclassical, ambient, and electronic music. Across projects including AR KAY, Lunes Leif, and Kazandzhidi, his recordings have accumulated more than 1.2 million streams. His current project, Kazandzhidi, explores the expressive possibilities of the piano through touch, resonance, silence, texture, and the instrument’s natural acoustic character.

Richard is also an active educator and adjudicator. He has served as a judge for MTAC competitions in Las Vegas, organized improvisation workshops in Houston, and guided students through substantial artistic projects, including the creation and recording of a complete eight-track solo piano album. His teaching combines the discipline of traditional piano training with an emphasis on interpretation, improvisation, and the development of an individual artistic voice.

Based in Southern California, Richard maintains a weekly residency at The Park Club, a distinguished private club, where he performs wide-ranging solo piano sets spanning classical, jazz, popular, and contemporary repertoire