Kölner Philharmonie / Haydn, Frank, Schubert, Hindemith, Brahms

Denis Kozhukhin

Next Concerts

April 28, 2026

Vienna, Austria

Bernstein: Symphony No.2 ‘The Age of Anxiety’
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 ‘Pathétique’

– Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor)

Venue: Wiener Musikverein, Vienna

Link to the performance

April 30, 2026

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op.20
Bernstein: Symphony No.2 ‘The Age of Anxiety’
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 ‘Pathétique’

– Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor)

Venue: Alte Oper Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main

Link to the performance

Reviews

October 3rd, 2013

“From the beginning until the second (and final) encore, Kozhukhin’s performance drew from the innermost sources of musical feeling and sensitivity, displaying a maturity which is quite extraordinary for his age…

Without such skills, a pianist would certainly fight a losing battle, especially when it comes to Schubert’s “Four Impromptus” (op.90). Kozhukhin, however, offered profound sincerity and animated cheerfulness, bleak resignation and heartfelt sentiment in turns…

Finally, Brahms’ “Seven Fantasies” (op. 116) were a wonder of tonal subtleties, and they were not without the sometimes necessary “paw of a lion”, like in the first or last movements. But especially moving were the contemplative, restrained “Intermezzi” (No. 2, 4 and 6) which tell of the harrowing loneliness of the aging Brahms. With Alexander Siloti’s mellow Bach transcription and Sgambati’s elegiac transcription of a melody from Gluck’s Orpheus and Euridice, the pianist from Nowgorod bid his quiet farewell.

He is not only allowed to come back, he has to come back…”
Kölnische Rundschau, October 2013

Video

Brahms: Fantasies No. 1 in D minor

In the Press

“Ravel’s Concerto in G takes us to completely different worlds. From that suggestive, almost hypnotic evocation of Debussy, we move on to a piece full of vitality, smiles, light-heartedness and, as its author intended, fun. Exultant fun from beginning to end, with hardly any respite, barely in the second movement, which never ceases to smile charmingly, albeit in a calmer way. Music that fits like a glove to the vitalistic nerve of the French maestro, who put all the rhythmic voltage into a vibrant accompaniment for the Russian soloist Denis Kozhukhin, who in turn demonstrated his excellent level once again.

As has been appreciated on previous occasions, the Russian’s sound is beautiful and has sufficient presence, although it does not dazzle. He shades beautifully and handles the pedal with general restraint, only occasionally overstepping that balance. He translated the fast-paced score apolloniously and with impeccable momentum, with a good dose of panache and fantasy, very successful realisation of the music’s jazzy resonances, and enviable intensity, connecting very well with the baton in a reading in which the rhythmic energy shone through.”