Tchaikovsky wrote music for the piano throughout his life. The flamboyant and witty Scherzo a la russe is dedicated to the virtuoso pianist Nikolay Rubinstein, but more often his piano pieces evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, with even the dances of the Trois morceaux rich in minor key sensitivities. The remarkably varied and resourceful Six Pieces Op. 2 were dedicated to his former teacher Anton Rubinstein. Laureate of numerous awards, Andrey Yaroshinsky was also 1st prize winner at the 2011 Gabala International Competition.