The Poet Speaks

One could give Grigory Sokolov the same title which cellist Janos Starker applied to conductor Georg Solti: the answer to the world energy crisis. And not because his recitals are sensationalist or demonstrative. Quite the contrary. Those who have experienced this firsthand, recognise the atmosphere of deep concentration during his recitals, something comparable to a liturgy or ritual. And it is this profound absorption shared by the soloist and audience that generates and concentrates such intense energy in the auditorium that it could be an alternative to fossil fuels.

There is an almost feverish expectation prior to any of his performances. The discretion of a musician, who, in these times that are propitious to posing, asserts an almost non-existent media profile. Rather, his discourse emerges at the keyboard; musical journeys marked by a depth of expression, an absolute control of sound, an orchestral dimension of the instrument and an utmost attention to detail. Sokolov at the service of the score where others seem to make use of it for themselves.

A veritable artistic truth derives from the honesty of the pianist and returns to the Teatro de la Maestranza in one of those rare occasions of direct communion with music.