Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Hope: an interview with duo pianists Anastasiia Larchikova and Mykhailo Diordiiev
Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Hope. This album is about joy. And faith. And the gift of the human spirit that allows us to create art in the midst of darkness. As Ukraine fights to save its country from Russian aggression while geopolitical forces leave Ukrainians wondering about world support, Ukrainian pianists Anastasiia Larchikova and Mykhailo Diodiiev created a recording featuring duet music composed by Ukrainian and American composers. Why? Because in the hands of these talented pianists, these joyful pieces invite us to remember all that’s best about our two countries. Through these notes, we’re invited not into the world of war, but of joy. In this celebratory music, we’re invited to put aside differences and embrace our shared humanity.
How do musicians help when forces beyond their control are destroying all that they hold dear? Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Hope is Anastasiia and Mykhailo’s response to the crisis. All proceeds from this recording will be donated to Ukraine humanitarian aid organizations. And one day, when Ukraine is once again at peace, this album will remain a shimmering example of finding beauty and joy in adversity. It is an honor to feature Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Hope and pianists Anastasiia Larchikova and Mykhailo Diordiiev on No Dead Guys.
At what age did you begin learning the piano and what attracted you to the instrument?
Mykhailo: I started learning to play the piano at the age of six. My mother is also a pianist, and she was the first to take me to a music school, although even before that I would often hear the sound of the piano at home, which fascinated me with its beauty.
Anastasiia: I started piano lessons when I was six. My mother is a musician, so there was always a piano in the house. Even before I could really play, I would run to it and press the keys just to hear the sounds. I was drawn to the way it felt under my fingers and how each touch made something different happen. For me as a child, it really did feel a bit magical.
When did you choose to pursue music professionally and who or what influenced this decision?
Mykhailo: I decided I wanted to pursue music professionally when I was thirteen, and at fifteen I began studying at a specialized music school for gifted children. I must say that without my parents I would not have achieved what I have today, even though it was my conscious decision to dedicate my life to music—especially after performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto with an orchestra.
Anastasiia: That decision came when I was 13. I was studying at a lyceum and had to choose my main direction, and I realised that music was the only thing I truly wanted to focus on. It meant leaving my small hometown in western Ukraine and moving to Kyiv to study. Getting accepted into the Mykola Lysenko Specialized Music School was the moment I knew I was on this path for good.
I understand that both of you are students of Professor Peter Jozsa at the Kunstuniversität Graz in Austria. Is this where you two met, or did you know each other in Kyiv?
Yes, Anastasiia and I met back in Kyiv, when we were both studying at the National Music Academy of Ukraine, although we were in different years of study.
How long have you two worked together as a piano duo?
We began playing together after both moving to Austria, so it’s been about three years now.
Congratulations on the release of your first recording, Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Hope: Ukrainian and America Music for Piano Duo. When did you first conceive the idea of this album and what prompted you to do so?
Thank you very much for your congratulations! The idea to record an album at Blue Griffin Studio came to life in the summer of 2024, initiated by James McClurken and Sergei Kvitko as a show of their support for young Ukrainian musicians. However, the works for this album were selected together with producer Sergei Kvitko, who, of course, had a major influence on the final version of the program.
Given that both of you are Ukrainian, it is logical that you would choose to highlight Ukrainian composers on this album. Why did you feel American music would pair so well with the Ukrainian music you recorded?
That idea came from our friend and project director, Sergei Kvitko. We liked it right away because it gave us a chance to connect two very different musical worlds. It’s interesting to see how Ukrainian and American works can stand next to each other and still feel part of one story.
This is a beautiful album, full of celebration and joy. Given the horror of the war being waged on Ukraine, why did you choose to release an album of hopeful music?
We decided to release an album full of joyful, hope-filled music, because we wholeheartedly believe in the swift victory and end of the war in our homeland, Ukraine. This wonderful music creates a magical atmosphere that inspires people and fills them with hope.
I was thrilled to see that several of the works on this album are world premieres, including one of my favorite tracks by Ukrainian composer Zoltan Almashi, “Carpathian Song.” Did you commission this haunting, beautiful piece?
No, Carpathian Song was written in 2022. This piece exists in arrangements for string quartet, orchestra, and piano four hands. We were drawn to how strongly it reflects the Carpathians—the nature, the colors, the spirit of the region. You can almost picture the mountains while listening.
Congratulations on a stunning recording of American composer Lowell Liebermann’s Romance, Etude and Chorale, Op.134. Given that this is the premier recording of this gorgeous, fiendishly difficult piece, how did you first discover it?
It was Sergei Kvitko who introduced us to Lowell Liebermann’s masterpiece, and it was a great honor for us to be the first to record this work, as we understand the great responsibility that comes with it. I would say that this piece is the climax of our album.
Another of my favorites is Ukrainian composer Bohdan Sehin’s piece, “Ru-um-bambar”, which pulsates with shimmering movement and rumba rhythms. What can you tell me about the challenges inherent in passing these complicated rhythmic patterns from one player to the other?
The main challenge is keeping those complex, syncopated rhythms completely together while still letting them flow naturally. It means listening very carefully, matching timing and articulation, and almost feeling like we’re breathing in sync. Once we found that connection, it became less about counting and more about letting the music carry us.
American composer Ricky lan Gordon's "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" is a virtuosic party from beginning to end. How did you discover it and why did you think it would be the perfect closing piece on this album?
We chose to record this particular work because Sergei is a good friend of Ricky, and they have a wonderful video on YouTube where Ricky cheerfully shouts, “Ring-A-Ding-Ding!” This immediately drew us in and inspired us to include the piece. It’s a very bright and vivid work, and it serves as the perfect “final chord” of our album.
Is sheet music available for the Ukrainian pieces on this album? If so, where might we purchase it?
The score for Skoryk’s Three Extravagant Dances is available online from several publishers—that’s where we got ours. For “Carpathian Song” and “Ru-um-bambar”, the only way is to contact the composers directly, as they’re not published online.
I understand that proceeds from this album will be donated to Ukraine humanitarian aid organizations. In addition to purchasing your album, how may we help these organizations through direct donations?
Yes, thanks to the hard work of Jim, Sergei, the composers, and the team at Reference Recordings, we decided to donate all proceeds from the album sales to humanitarian organizations in Ukraine. Anyone wishing to help those affected can make a contribution through charitable organizations such as Razom. All the information is available on their official website: Razom for Ukraine
What current or future plans are you most excited about?
Right now, we’re most excited to finally share this album and see how people respond to it. In the future, we have a few projects in mind—some collaborations, some new repertoire—and we’re looking forward to seeing where it all leads.
ANASTASIIA LARCHIKOVA is a pianist from Ukraine. In 2021, she completed her Bachelor’s degree, and, in 2023, she obtained her Master’s degree from the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv. She is currently a student at the Kunstuniversität Graz in Austria, studying with Professor Peter Jozsa. She received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture of Austria (2024) to study there. She has participated in many international festivals, and is a prizewinner at many international and all Ukrainian competitions, recently including: 2nd prize at the All Ukrainian Competition “Interpretation of Contemporary Music” in the “Chamber Ensemble” category (Ukraine, 2021); 2nd prize at the International Music Competition organized by the Association Les Musicales du Centre (France, 2022); and Semifinalist at the Alicante International Piano Competition (Spain, 2024).
MYKHAILO DIORDIIEV is also a Ukrainian pianist. He is a student at the National Music Academy in Kyiv (Prof. Natalia Gridneva), but is currently studying at Kunstuniversität Graz in Austria, with Professor Peter Jozsa. He has twice received a scholarship from the President of Ukraine (2021, 2022). He also received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture of Austria (2023). Mr. Diordiiev has played concerts in Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium and Estonia. He is a Winner of many international piano competitions, such as: Grand Prix at the International Virtual Competition organized by ConcertFestival.org (USA); 3rd prize at the International Music Competition organized by Association Les Musicales du Centre (France); and 2nd prize at the Samson Francois international piano competition (France).