Next Concerts
REVIEWS
May 23 2019
Schumann Piano Concerto / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / cond. Thomas Søndergård
Read the full review here.
May 23 2019
Schumann Piano Concerto / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / cond. Thomas Søndergård
“Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin is a formidable artist on all levels; a fabulous technique, a beautifully poetic instinct and a sure understanding of style. The orchestra backed him to the hilt, and his encore – Grieg’s “Spring” from his “Lyric Pieces”- showed further evidence of his mastery in a piece of great simplicity.”
Read the full review here
May 15 2019
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 5 / CBSO / cond. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla
” a fearlessly accurate and athletic Kozhukhin following in the footsteps of two other eminent Russian pianists who have championed this work, Sviatoslav Richter and Vladimir Ashkenazy…Striking to this performance was its dazzling spontaneity, where soloist and conductor were in total command of its ever-changing material, where pianistic pyrotechnics suddenly yield to gentle musing…Ideas turn on a sixpence in the Vivo and its garishness and gentle ambiguities were fully realised by Kozhukhin and a superbly supportive CBSO.”
Read full review on bachtrack.com
Apr 17 2019
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / cond. Jamie Phillips
“ […] Russian soloist Denis Kozhukhin gave a superb performance combining great power and virility…along with musicality and subtlety all delivered with consummate technical ease. The first movement cadenza was notably dramatic and poetic. The ending to the final movement was particularly splendid. […] ”
Feb 12 2019
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.2 / Iceland Symphony Orchestra / cond. Antonio Mendez
“[…] In short, Kozhukhin´s playing was one of the greatest fireworks displays I have witnessed in Harpa … His playing was technically outstanding and so full of power and excitement that one unwittingly searched for seatbelts in order not to be thrown in all directions. There was never a dull moment, and one´s draw jopped again and again. I hereby declare the founding of the Icelandic division of the Kozhukhin Fan Club. […] ”
Feb 12 2019
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.5 / NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester / cond. Mirga Grazinaite-Tyla
“[…] Denis Kozhukhin was an impressively accurate choice for this solo part. The pianistic challenges did not seem to concern the Russian in the least; he designed the harsh brilliance of the first movement with laconic precision, contrasting the quirky, angular Toccata movement with the unexpectedly dreamily beginning of the Larghetto. Kozhukhin played it all away with ease, with that pleasant, sleek, triumphant serenity that only sets in when you do not want to prove anything anymore. But he could also effortlessly increase pressure and operating temperature to storm into the final.”
Dec 08 2018
Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3 / Liverpool Philharmonic / Kahchun Won
“[…] Wong was joined by pianist Denis Kozhukhin for a spellbinding performance of Bartók’s Piano Concerto no.3. The playing throughout was assured and effortless and the interpretation restrained but never dull. Both pianist and conductor treated the musical details with such utter respect, and executed them with such precision, one could not fail to be drawn into this thoroughly engaging performance. In all three movements Wong balanced the orchestra to sheer perfection, the soloist always to the fore and never overpowered. The first movement was impressive in its range of dynamics, creating light and shade. It was full of drama: conductor and pianist had the same vision, each episode had its own character – individual, vivid and enchanting. The second movement was atmospheric, moody, ethereal. In the chordal textures of the piano writing the balance between the hands was exquisite, the melody projecting with crystal-clear clarity. Kozhukhin was completely lost in the music, in the birdsong, in the reverie he’d created. There was gentle and effective use of Rubato, which added another dimension to this reading. Without a chance to breathe, they launched straight into a strongly rhythmic final movement. Full of bold colours, this astutely phrased finale was simply dazzling.
Grieg’s “Spring” from Lyric Pieces, was given as encore. The phrasing was simple and delicate, and the judiciously balanced hands allowed the bell-like tone of the melody to carry with purity. […] ”
