Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Florida

Denis Kozhukhin

Next Concerts

Jun 1, 2023

Pamplona, SPAIN – Baluarte (Sala Principal)

PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No.3 in C major, Op. 26

Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra
Perry So, conductor

Link to the performance

Jun 2, 2023

Tafalla, SPAIN – Tafalla Kulturgunea

PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No.3 in C major, Op. 26

Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra
Perry So, conductor

Link to the performance

Reviews

February 19th, 2014

“South Florida might not need another performance of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, but if you’re going to hear this work for the 20th or 30th time, let it be with a soloist of the caliber of the young Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin… Kozhukhin is a fiery and dramatic performer, whose daring style made the most of this concerto.

He played the huge ascending chords that accompany the opening theme in the orchestra in a forward-leaning manner that gave an extra impetus and excitement to the beginning of the work. No matter how fast and thick the notes came, his mastery of the keyboard allowed him to bring a light, sure and accurate touch that brought unusual clarity to passages that can often seem like blurs of notes. From languid melodies to fierce runs in double octaves, he embraced the concerto’s pathos and drama, with none of the obvious keyboard pounding of lesser musicians…

Kozhukhin seized center stage again in the last movement, displaying fluency at the keyboard and a fearless approach to the work’s virtuoso challenges.”
South Florida Classical Review, February 2014

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.”

Read full interview on Scherzo