Grigory Sokolov plays Bach.
At the age of 16, pianist Grigory Sokolov won first place at the Third International Tchaikovsky Competition, and he has been an active concert performer for more than forty years.
Sokolov has not appeared outside Russian all that often. However, those who have heard him perform will never be able to forget his playing.
We hear the following program on this recording:
Bach, J S:
- Goldberg Variations, BWV988
- Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826
- English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807
Performed by Grigory Sokolov (piano)
Sokolov is mostly known as an interpreter of Bach’s works, the late Beethoven sonatas, and the compositions of Johannes Brahms.
The playing in this CD album has a rhapsodic, improvisational quality, which is totally amazing; even the opening aria of the Goldberg, seems to emerge from the sheer joy and exuberance that Sokolov experiences in playing this timeless music.
There is an enormous variety of moods within this concert; but it is a pity that this fascinating recording is somewhat spoiled by the noise and coughing on the part of the audience.
Here is the “Aria” from the J. S. Bach – Goldberg Variations BWV 988: (Coughs and all!)
And next, here is Grigory Sokolov playing the Bach French Overture:
Finally, here is the Brahms piano concerto # 2, with Grigory Sokolov, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducting the Finnish Radio Symphony.
http://youtu.be/70upVIsx_kA
Tags: Grigory Sokolov, Bach, Goldberg Variations, Partita
