Album review on The Classic Review on “Grieg: Lyric Pieces / Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte”

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

July 15th, 2019

“You can’t fault pianist Denis Kozhukhin of being one dimensional in regards to his choice of repertoire. After albums with music from the 18th century (Haydn Piano Sonatas), the 19th century (Tchaikovsky and Grieg Concertos, Brahms solo music), and the 20th century (Prokofiev’s “War Sonatas” and Ravel and Gershwin Concertos), comes this release, which offers another, more intimate side to this musician.”

“Kozhukhin’s tone is magical, with each finger creating a different timbre. This is achieved by clever usage of the sustaining pedal, taking advantage of the piano’s long sustain and overtones but more than anything – his sensitive ear to the possibilities of this music.”

“One has to go back to famous accounts by Gilels and Andsnes to experience a performance of such dedication…If you care for each of these two composers, or have any preference for piano music for that matter, go and buy this album.”
Read the full review on The Classic Review.

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.”