On June 3rd, at 7 pm, a remarkable piano recital is to take place at the National Philharmonic Hall. The legendary Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov returns to Vilnius where he has performed several decades ago. Having built a solid professional career of over 40 years, he is regarded today as one of the world’s most famous piano masters. For his concert programmes he often opts for the well-known and popular piano works; the critics, however, claim that he has a unique ability to impart freshness to these pieces heard many thousands times before. At his recital in Vilnius, Sokolov is going to interpret the works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann.

“As a pianist Grigory Sokolov demonstrates extraordinary responsibility. He carefully chooses repertoire and concerts and does not accept all offers he is presented with. Thus we are very happy to announce that Grigory Sokolov expressed his consent to participate at the Vilnius Festival,” said Gintautas Kėvišas, the artistic director of the festival at the press conference.

“Sokolov’s fingers produce sounds that do not resemble the usual sounding achieved by many other pianists. It is the longing for perfection that is present in every appearance of the pianist” – such words are used to describe Sokolov’s piano techniques. He is considered to be a living legend that might be compared to great Russian pianists such as Sviatoslav Richter and Vladimir Horowitz.

His creative career was extraordinary from the very beginning. When a sixteen-year-old teenager performed his programme at the 3rd International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow (1966) many have heralded him a glorious future, but there have been sceptical views as well. Singled out by Emil Gilels, the head of the jury of the aforementioned competition, who had noted the exceptional musicality of a young pianist, Grigory Sokolov was awarded the 1st prize. It is obvious today that the insights of that time have proved to be true.

Every year, Grigory Sokolov gives around 70–80 concerts, yet their programme is changed only once in six months (a distinguished feature of the pianist), which means that the same programme is performed at 30 or 40 consecutive concerts. One may only wonder what artistic depths are reached when the interpretation is polished as the most precious gem. Using little pedal, and thus superior finger-work, he draws from the concert grand an immense variety of sounds; he has an unlimited palette of colours, a spontaneous imagination and a magical control of line. His interpretations are poetic and highly individual, and his rhythmic freedom and elasticity of phrasing are perhaps unequalled among pianists today.

Those who are used to his art are most particularly attracted by the naturalness of his performing manner, which is part of his artistic credo. His playing betrays no influence from past masters, his style and approach are entirely his own, and are completely unique. Being a regular guest at prestigious European concert halls and festivals, Grigory Sokolov turns each concert into a kind of ritual. The pianist is categorically against recording at the studio and has made a number of live recordings for the Melodya and Opus 111 labels. These include works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Schubert, Schumann, Scriabin, and Tchaikovsky.

At a concert in Vilnius, the pianist will perform Bach’s Partita No. 2 in C minor, Brahms’ Fantasien op.116 and Schumann’s Sonata for piano No. 3 in F minor, Op. 14.