Denis Kozhukhin

European concerts with the MDR Radio Symphony Orchestra Leipzig

Denis Kozhukhin joins the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Kristjan Järvi for a series of concerts this month, beginning at Meran’s Kurhaus on 9 September 2016.

Kozhukhin and the orchestra perform Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.4, part of a programme that also includes Steve Reich Variations for Winds, Strings and Keyboards and Schumann Symphony No.4. Later in the month, Kozhukhin and the orchestra perform at the Sala Radio in Bucharest on 27 September, the Suhl Congress Centrum on 1 October and the Leipzig Gewandhaus on 2 October.

Debut with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the Kölner Philharmonie

Denis Kozhukhin returns to the Cologne on 2 September 2016 to make his debut with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the Kölner Philharmonie.

Kozhukhin performs Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 under the baton of Rafael Payare, and the concert will be broadcast on WDR on 25 September.

Following this, Kozhukhin returns to Wigmore Hall on 11 September for a solo recital, performing Handel Suite No.7 in G minor, Brahms 3 Intermezzi, Bartók Out of Doors, Weber Piano Sonata No.3 and a selection of pieces from Albéniz Iberia.

Solo recital at International Chopin Festival in Duszniki

Denis Kozhukhin travels to Poland on 10 August 2016 for a solo recital at the International Chopin Festival, held at Chopin’s birthplace in Duszniki Zdrój in Poland.

Kozhukhin performs a programme of Haydn Keyboard Sonata in D major, Brahms 3 Intermezzi, Bartók Out of Doors, BB.89, Weber Piano Sonata No.3 and a selection from Albéniz Iberia.

Kozhukhin is a noted recitalist, attracting high praise for his recent appearance at the International Piano Series at London’s Southbank Centre:

“Unshowily but grippingly, he dispatched two Haydn sonatas and Bartók’s brilliantly condensed Out of Doors pieces, and ventured the high Romantic contrast of Liszt’s Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude. There was Brahms and encore Scarlatti, too – Kozhukhin ranged over the keyboard centuries like a duke displaying prized possessions.”
Sunday Times

“Denis Kozhukhin … played [two Haydn sonatas] with brilliance, sensitivity and wit. His subtle and dynamic approach was a joy … The Liszt was altogether exceptional – luxuriant and evocative, ideally contemplative, ravishing the senses … Denis Kozhukhin is simply one of the best pianists around.”
Classical Source

Listen to Kozhukhin perform Haydn Keyboard Sonata in D major on Soundcloud:

Mozart at the Concertgebouw with the Munich Chamber Orchestra

Denis Kozhukhin joins the Munich Chamber Orchestra in Amsterdam on 17 July 2016 to perform Mozart Piano Concert No. 15 in B-flat major at the Concertgebouw. The programme for the concert also includes Elgar Introduction and Allegro in G, Puccini Crisantemi and Schubert Symphony No. 5.

Following the concert in Amsterdam, Kozhukhin travels to Argenton-sur-Creuse in France to perform at the Debussy Festival on 29 July, with a programme of Debussy Cello Sonata with Henri Demarquette, Debussy Violin Sonata in G minor with Vadim Repin and Tchaikovsky Piano Trio in A minor.

Return to the Hamburg Symphony with Jeffrey Tate

Following a performance with the Hamburg Symphony in January that was described as “an injection of energy” by the Hamburger Abendblatt, Denis Kozhukhin returns to the orchestra for another concert at the Laeizhalle on 26 June 2016.

Conducted again by the orchestra’s Chief Conductor Jeffrey Tate, Kozhukhin performs Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.2, part of a programme that also features George Benjamin Ringed by the Flat Horizon and Schubert Symphony No.8 in B minor ‘Unfinished’.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra season finale with Dausgaard & Runnicles

Denis Kozhukhin joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for the closing concerts of their 2015/16 season from 12 May 2016. Kozhukhin first performs Brahms Piano Concerto No.1, conducted by Thomas Dausgaard, at Glasgow City Halls and Edinburgh Usher Hall on 12 and 15 May, with the former concert being broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. He then rejoins the orchestra at Glasgow City Halls on 19 May to perform Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 in Donald Runnicles’ final concert as Chief Conductor of the orchestra.

Later in the month Kozhukhin returns to London for a recital with the Pavel Haas Quartet at Wigmore Hall.

Grammophone Editor’s choice

Denis Kozhukhin’s debut concerto CD, recorded with Pentatone, who have named him their Artist of the Season, has been receiving widespread critical acclaim, including being picked as Gramophone Editor’s Choice for the month.

The disc of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 and Grieg Piano Concerto, recorded with the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin (conducted by Vassily Sinaisky), has received a glowing review from Gramophone and was also named as their Editor’s Choice for May:

“Listening to Kozhukhin, you’re left with one thing: the music – incontestable, complete.”

He has also received praise from radiobremen.de:

“Kozhukhin’s piano playing has an endless amount of facets and sound colours … Very few pianists have such a musical breadth. Denis Kozhukhin is already one of the greats of the black and white keys.”

Listen to a preview of the CD and buy it here.