Masterful virtuoso graces Greece
Such is the passion of «Sokolophiles» that some are willing to travel from France to catch their favorite virtuoso in concert; tickets to a recent appearance in Paris were sold out in a matter of hours. Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov is scheduled to appear at the Athens Concert Hall’s Friends of Music Hall tonight in a concert featuring works by Bach, Beethoven and Schumann. Born in Leningrad in 1950, the pianist gave his first major recital in Moscow at the age of 12, winning the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in 1966. Disciple Spotted early on by Emil Gilels, who bestowed upon the young, rising pianist the Gold Medal, Sokolov is considered a disciple of the legendary Ukrainian classical pianist of the Soviet era. Largely unknown in the West until the late 1980s, Sokolov is currently considered one of piano’s greatest artists. He likes to change his repertory twice a year and for years has not ventured out of Europe. Athens Concert Hall, 1 Kokkali & Vas. Sofias, tel 210.728.2333. Starts at 8.30 p.m. For more information log on to www.megaron.gr.
