Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata: The Love and Loss of Sergei Grinkov

Anna and Mikhail Grinkov were in the Russian police force, and were anxiously waiting the arrival of their new son. On February 4, 1967 in the highly populated capital of Moscow, Sergei Grinkov was born. Sergei received nothing but love and warmth from his loving parents and relatives.

One day, Anna and Mikhail decided to bring their 5 year old son, Sergei to the Central Army skating rink for a trial lesson. Five year old Sergei instantly fell in love with figure skating, and every day he couldn`t wait to enter the rink. "He was a very ambitious boy, always working long hours on his jumps "said his skating trainer at Central Army Skating rink. At first it wasn`t easy for Sergei. One day he would do good, and another other day so-so, but he was determined to make it to the top.

The much more mature Sergei enjoyed choreographing (the study of dance moves). He also appreciated weight-training and gymnastics. But Skating still proved to be his greatest interest. However, because of his high height at age 15, it was very difficult for him to perform high maneuvers, and twists. So in 1982 Sergei`s coach and mother decided to pair him with Ekaterina Gordeeva, who at the time was 10 years of age. Ekaterina was born on March 20, 1972 to Alexander and Elena Gordeeva. Ekaterina`s mother Elena was a computer specialist and a swimmer, and her father, Alexander was a member of the military- dance theater ensemble.