Russian pianist Nikolai Petrov has died after suffering a massive stroke in May, officials said. He was 68. The Moscow Times confirmed the Wednesday death of Petrov, a renowned performer, professor at the Moscow Conservatory and president of the Russian Academy of Arts. \"It is a huge loss for Russian culture,\" Interfax quoted Culture Ministry spokeswoman Natalya Uvarova as saying. \"Petrov was a wonderful musician who made an enormous contribution to world performing culture.\"