The passion of Sokolov returns

Encore presentations have been big at Oberlin this year, usually with good reason. Ladysmith Black Mambazo and R.L. Burnside have both made recent second comings. This week, the Artist Recital Series brings back Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov, who played a smashing and well received performance here two years ago. He is probably just the man to drag students away from their frenzied miterm chaos.

Sokolov has been hailed as one of the world's most accomplished pianists today. His repertoire runs the gamut from Bach to Schoenberg, garnering respect from a wide range of admiring fans. He is also a prolific performer, having given 1500 concerts in conert halls all over the planet. The program planned for this concert includes Jean-Philippe Rameau's Suite in G from Nouvelles Suites de Pieces de Clavecin, Beethoven's Sonata No. 6 in G major, op.31 No 1, Brahms' Sonata in C major, op.1.

Sokolov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1950. At age seven he went into a gifted program at the Leningrad Conservatory where he has been a Professor of Piano since 1975. At the tender age of 16 he won first prize in the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in a unanimous decision. This gave him international attention. In the years since, Sokolov has continued to stun audiences and remain in the piano elite.

Critics seem most caught up with Sokolov's passion for the piano. His style is deeply intense, dynamic and engaging. But as much as people will try to do his performances justice in their reviews, nothing is comparable to the real experience of hearing him play. As Sokolov himself once said, "It's impossible to explain music with words. If it was possible, then music would not exist."

Grigory Sokolov performs at Finney Chapel on Tuesday, March 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $12 for students, $14 and $16 for Senior Citizens and Oberlin College Staff, and $16 and $18 for the general public.

Back for More: Russian Pianist Grigory Sokolov returns for another world class performance. (photo courtesy of Trawick Artists Ltd.)