Russian piasnist, Grigory Sokolov, began studying the piano at the age of five and at seven entered the Leningrad Conservatory to study with Leah Zelikhman, where he later studied with Moisey Khalfin. He gave his first major recital in Moscow at the age of 12, and came to international attention after winning the 1966 International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. Aged only 16, he won the Gold Medal on a unanimous decision.
In the 40 years since the this award, the world has been blessed with what one American critic recently called “a kind of pianism, musicianship and artistry one thought had vanished forever”.
Grigory Sokolov has gained an almost mythical status amongst music-lovers throughout the world. He is considered by many today to be the world’s greatest living pianist. Ever since his first recital in Leningrad, he has amazed everyone again and again with the enormous breadth of his repertoire and his huge, almost physical musical strength.
Using little pedal, he draws from the concert grand an immense variety of sounds; he has an unlimited palette of colors, and a spontaneous imagination.
Here is Mr. Sokolov playing Schubert’s Impromptu #1:
