Grigory Sokolov

The Rudolf Firkušný Piano Festival is one of the very few festivals in the world of which Grigory Sokolov is a regular guest. One critic described the atmosphere of his most recent festival appearance in 2022 – which concluded with music by Johannes Brahms – as follows: “It was an immensely suggestive, almost mystical conclusion to the entire recital, and the audience needed time to let Brahms’s music resonate within them. Before long, however, the applause grew into a prolonged standing ovation.” Sokolov is capable of drawing from the piano an extraordinary spectrum of colours. The British newspaper The Guardian has called his recitals “visions of a lost age of Russian pianism,” emphasising “a wonderful ease about his playing, a security founded on an utterly dependable interpretation (…) founded upon total familiarity with the work.”

Sokolov’s concerts usually take place in subdued lighting, allowing him to concentrate fully and lending the occasion the character of a kind of mystical ritual. Before each performance he becomes acquainted with the piano in the finest detail, examining it almost like a scientist in a laboratory. In his view, every instrument possesses a soul, and the performer must come close to that soul if their partnership is to be truly fruitful. The result is an exceptional experience for listeners. At a certain point in his career, Sokolov withdrew both from chamber music and from performing with orchestras, dedicating himself exclusively to solo recitals. Each summer, he retreats from public life and works on a single new programme for the coming season. One can only look forward to discovering what magical experiences he will bring us this time!