Pianist Viatcheslav Novikov was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. In 1969, he graduated from the Kyiv Conservatory in the class of Professor Vsevolod Topilin (a student of the legendary Heinrich Neuhaus), and then continued his postgraduate studies with Alexander Alexandrov. Already in his youth, Novikov proved himself as a bright soloist and chamber musician: from 1974 to 1990 he was a soloist of the Kyiv Philharmonic, performing with leading ensembles of the USSR in the largest halls of the country.

In 1977, together with Valery Kolesnikov, Vladimir Molotkov, and Alexander Khristidis, Novikov was the first in Ukraine to record a jazz album "Lyrical Moods." In 1979, he became the founder of the famous Kyiv Trio (Novikov — piano, Melnikov — violin, Ponomarev — cello), which quickly gained a reputation as one of the best ensembles in the USSR and toured throughout the country.

Since 1989, Viatcheslav Novikov has lived and worked in Finland (Puumala, on the shores of Lake Saimaa). His first concert in Finland took place in July 1989 at the Puumala Minival festival, and his first solo concert in Helsinki received an enthusiastic reception from the public and critics. The famous Finnish critic Seppo Heikinheimo (Helsingin Sanomat) noted: "Novikov belongs to the elite of thinking pianists."

From 1992 to 1998, Novikov taught at the Sibelius Academy, and since 1998 — at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Since 1994, he has performed annually at the world-famous Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, as well as giving solo and chamber concerts in European countries, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine. The pianist has collaborated with conductors such as Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Neeme Järvi, Andres Mustonen, and Yuri Alperten.

In 2006, Novikov recorded the jazz album "Paintings" with American drummer Brian Melvin and Estonian double bassist Toivo Unt, and also performed with Ukrainian double bassist Maksym Hladetsky, playing classical music in jazz arrangements.

In 1998, after performing Schubert's last three sonatas in Tallinn, Professor Lilian Semper (Eesti Päevaleht) wrote: "There was a spirit of genius in the hall tonight."

Novikov is a laureate of the State Prize of Finland (2012) for his contribution to the development of Finnish culture. His repertoire is especially rich in works by classical and romantic composers — Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin — which he performs with unique poetry and depth.

Pianist Naily Saripova was born and raised in Tallinn, where her life has been inseparably connected with music since early childhood. At the age of six, she began studying with the famous teacher Natalia Leifer-Maasin, and then continued to improve her skills at the Georg Ots Music School under the guidance of Mailis Põld. Since 2000, Naily has been a student at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where her mentor was Professor Alexandra Juozapenaite-Eesmaa. In 2013, Saripova defended her doctoral dissertation, becoming one of the few Estonian pianists with the highest academic degree.

Naily's talent and diligence have been recognized at prestigious international competitions: she became a laureate of "Konzerteum" (Greece), "Val Tidone Piano Competitions" (Italy), "Clara Haskil Piano Competition" (Switzerland), "Schubert Lied Competition" (Germany). Her creative path is marked by participation in the "Crossing Boarders" project, which brings together the best pianists from the Baltics and Finland.

Saripova actively performs solo and chamber concerts both in Estonia and abroad, invariably winning over listeners with her sincerity, depth, and bright individuality of performance.

Since 2005, she has been creatively associated with the outstanding pianist Viatcheslav Novikov. The Saripova–Novikov duo has devoted itself to interpreting the masterpieces of the classics — primarily the music of Schubert, Mozart, and Schumann. In 2013, their joint album "Piano music for four hands. Schubert. Mozart" received enthusiastic reviews from critics in Estonia and abroad.

In 2015, Naily Saripova released a solo album with a rarely performed Beethoven piece — "Diabelli Variations op. 120. Naily Saripova LIVE."