«My God! Why do you people have to kill a person to understand that they are alive?!»
Pavel Kushnir was born on September 19, 1984, in Tambov, where he graduated from the Pedagogical Institute of Music named after Sergei Rachmaninoff. He then attended the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory (class of Viktor Merzhanov) and completed postgraduate studies in Yekaterinburg.
He worked as a soloist for the Kursk and Kurgan Philharmonics, and in 2023 became a soloist at the Birobidzhan Regional Philharmonic. Pavel's performance repertoire extended beyond the recorded Chopin mazurkas, which, along with his commentary, formed the radio series “Mazurkas on Wednesdays,” or the cycle of 24 Rachmaninoff preludes — it included works by Schumann and Bach, Beethoven and Prokofiev, Ives and contemporary composers… The level of his artistic mastery is evidenced by the fact that at a young age, Pavel performed the complete cycle of preludes and fugues by Dmitri Shostakovich.
In addition to his work in music education and outreach, Pavel Kushnir was also a writer, employing techniques from European and American literary avant-garde movements in his texts. His early works, «Dust» (2004) and «Kosyag and Behemodth» (2008), are absurdist prose, partly inspired by Boris Vian’s experiments. His only published novel, «Russian Cut-up» (2014), was an attempt to apply the cut-up technique of William Burroughs and Brion Gysin to Soviet war novels and other texts. «The Birobidzhan Diary» (2022) chronicles his life following the announcement of mobilization in Russia, juxtaposed with E. Kazakevich’s socialist realist novella «The Star.» Pavel’s most significant literary work, «Noël,» remains undiscovered.
All of this is inseparable from Pavel Kushnir as a citizen. Pavel took action against the increasingly dire situation in Russia by participating in marches and rallies. Refusing to accept the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, he openly expressed his dissent, both in person and on his YouTube channel. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pavel endured two hunger strikes and delivered monologues on his channel condemning Russia’s barbaric actions. Although viewed by only a few dozen people, these videos became the reason for his arrest. While in pre-trial detention, Pavel declared a dry hunger strike and died on its fifth day. His body bore signs of physical abuse.
All of this is inseparable from Pavel Kushnir as a citizen. Pavel took action against the increasingly dire situation in Russia by participating in marches and rallies. Refusing to accept the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, he openly expressed his dissent, both in person and on his YouTube channel. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pavel endured two hunger strikes and delivered monologues on his channel condemning Russia’s barbaric actions. Although viewed by only a few dozen people, these videos became the reason for his arrest. While in pre-trial detention, Pavel declared a dry hunger strike and died on its fifth day. His body bore signs of physical abuse.
Pavel’s death in detention, which became the first recorded death from a hunger strike in modern Russian history, drew unprecedented attention to his life and work. An open letter was signed by leading musicians and conductors worldwide, and memorial concerts, featuring the greatest contemporary pianists, were held almost immediately in his honor.
We hope that the work of the eponymous Scholarship will perpetuate his memory. May the youngest scholarship recipients take an interest in the life of the pianist who left his final chord unfinished, and may their future students inherit not only his artistry but also the memory of Pavel.
Pavel’s death in detention, which became the first recorded death from a hunger strike in modern Russian history, drew unprecedented attention to his life and work. An open letter was signed by leading musicians and conductors worldwide, and memorial concerts, featuring the greatest contemporary pianists, were held almost immediately in his honor.
We hope that the work of the eponymous Scholarship will perpetuate his memory. May the youngest scholarship recipients take an interest in the life of the pianist who left his final chord unfinished, and may their future students inherit not only his artistry but also the memory of Pavel.
