Sedmara Zakarian Rutstein
Artist Sedmara Zakarian Rutstein standing by the keyboard of a grand piano. She is smiling and looking directly into the camera. The background is an elegant music room lit by soft light. The image is in black and white with a cyanotypes (blue) wash for a classic, cool look.
Oberlin Conservatory Professor of Pianoforte Sedmara Zakarian Rutstein sitting in her music office looking slightly off camera. She is smiling and wearing a black and white polka dot blouse and gold necklace. Behind her, we see a computer monitor.
Russian born pianist Sedmara Zakarian Rutstein is an inspiration for pianists and students.
Artist Sedmara Zakarian Rutstein standing by the keyboard of a grand piano. She is smiling and looking directly into the camera. The background is an elegant music room lit by soft light. The image is in black and white with a cyanotypes (blue) wash for a classic, cool look.
Artist
Inspiration
Virtuoso
Professor
Welcome
Hailing from Russia with paternal roots from Armenia, Sedmara Zakarian Rutstein is a renowned concert pianist whose unparalleled artistry and expansive repertoire have captivated audiences and critics worldwide. She is also a celebrated professor who has shaped the careers of many aspiring pianists.
The New York Times
"There was an extra edge of pleasure at Sedmara [Zakarian] Rutstein's radiant success at Alice Tully Hall....she played with uncommon clarity and a lovely melting piano sound...there was temperament more than sufficient."
Selected Performance Videos
Robert Schumann
Kreisleriana, Op. 16, Part 1
Sedmara performed the first movement of Schumann's composition for solo piano, subtitled Phantasien für das Pianoforte, in Fairfax, VA on January 1, 2012. Her interpretation brings to life a complex work of music known for its contrasting impulsive and dreamy qualities.
Claude Debussy
Preludes Book 1
Written for solo piano, Debussy created two books of 12 preludes each. Sedmara's recording, available on YouTube, features all 12 preludes from the first book. Debussy's preludes do not follow a strict pattern of tonal centers. Because of this, one does not need to play them in order. However, Sedmara chose to play them in their original order to highlight themes that are referenced from one piece to the next.
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2
In recent years, Sedmara has given a number of special concerts at her home in Northern Virginia. This performance from May 10, 2025 features Beethoven's sonata commonly referred to as Der Sturm (or The Tempest). Sedmara's technique showcases the sustained melodies that ripple up and down the scale, evoking a turbulent but flowing storyline.
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