DG signs Sokolov

Da_Brotha · October 17, 2014, 11:30pm

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/us/gpp/index/grigory-sokolov-signing

Berlin, 16 October 2014. Deutsche Grammophon today announced the exclusive signing of Grigory Sokolov, one of the world’s most enigmatic and visionary artists. The revered Russian pianist, born in Leningrad in 1950, is known for the spellbinding subtlety and endless variety of his tone, the vast depths of his musicianship and the spiritual intensity of his music-making.

Sokolov is also known for what he does not do: he no longer performs with orchestras, nor on pianos that are more than five years old. He makes no studio recordings and is reluctant to do interviews, feeling more comfortable expressing himself through his music. In an uncompromising pursuit of artistic excellence, he always demands at least double the rehearsal time expected by his peers prior to every recital – and, as if in return, gives double the amount of encores. In short, his pursuit of perfection is all-consuming.

His first album for the Yellow Label, a recital of works by Mozart and Chopin recorded LIVE at the 2008 Salzburg Festival, is set for global release in January 2015. This will be his first new album for almost 20 years – since a Schubert Sonatas disc, recorded in 1992, came to the market in 1996.

The teenage Sokolov first attracted global attention after his sensational victory at the 1966 Moscow International Tchaikovsky Competition. He has since captivated pianophiles around the world with interpretations of exceptional nobility and the utmost individuality and insight.

“The man is a cult figure,” wrote the Berliner Zeitung, “and his concerts, proffered in a meditative gloom, have become ritual ceremonies – no, better yet, pilgrimages!”

Sokolov’s sought-after recitals remain unique, as he performs the same programme across up to 70 concerts in a year, altering one half in January, and one in October. Encores in abundance are a speciality, and always expected from his legion of devoted concert-followers.

Mark Wilkinson, President of Deutsche Grammophon, commented: “The wait is finally over, as we warmly welcome Maestro Sokolov to the Yellow Label, and herald a new and rare album release. Inspiring complete devotion from his extraordinary army of fans, many of whom aim to attend every single one of his extraordinary concerts, he is an ‘anti-star’ par excellence. Critics and pianophiles alike have known of his work for many years, and we now want to connect the broadest possible audience with this life-affirming, revelatory and enigmatic artist.”

“Many consider him, quite simply, the greatest pianist alive,” observes The Independent, while the Salzburger Nachrichten recently judged: “Grigory Sokolov’s piano-playing is continually expanding into an intergalactic dimension – he long ago became a universe unto himself.”

I don’t know about you guys but I am hella excited. Sokolov is definitely my favorite living pianist.

Aggelos · October 18, 2014, 11:00am

Yea it’s going to be very exciting!

I wonder if he could bring repertoire like this on the legendary yellow label

melody.su/en/catalog/classic/659/
melody.su/en/catalog/classic/658/
melody.su/en/catalog/classic/657/
melody.su/en/catalog/classic/656/
melody.su/en/catalog/classic/655/
melody.su/en/catalog/classic/654/
melody.su/en/catalog/classic/22566/

Anima · October 18, 2014, 3:02pm

fuck yeah

DG has some making up to do

Brewtality · October 18, 2014, 7:05pm

meh, still not enough to save DG.

Da_Brotha · October 19, 2014, 2:05am

at least this proves that there is at least one person in DG who hasn’t sold out yet

jredmond · October 27, 2014, 3:42am

iamcanadian · October 27, 2014, 6:00am

I’m going to disagree with all of you and say the Sokolov is not a rounded enough artist to record for a mainstream label - he’s a very polarizing artist with limited mainstream appeal. I like some of Sokolov’s recs as much as the next guy, but the consistency isn’t there. Nelson Freire puts out one great recording after another, while I don’t think I’ve even heard a single Sokolov concert that was consistently good all the way through.

His previous releases have been very mixed. Those were chosen for release as the best of his concert recordings… but if the best of his concerts are that variable, how are they going to get good recordings out of an aging, stubborn pianist who refuses to go into the studio?

Brewtality · October 27, 2014, 8:24am

well tbh, I am not a huge fan of sokolov but I will reserve judgement until I have the chance to hear him in person.
Unfortunately being well rounded doesn’t really seem to be one of DG’s selection criteria don’t you think?
Agreed about Freire btw, can’t wait to see him. Still working on getting the recording equip though.

Da_Brotha · October 30, 2014, 12:12am

Out of the non-bootleg Sokolov recs (I haven’t heard bootlegs), which ones did you find to not be satisfactory? I thought the Chopin and the Brahms were outstanding (at or close to being my favorite recordings of the works) and everything else was pretty good. Freire’s recordings are good too of course but none of them seemed outstanding in any way. I’d love to hear your opinion though.

iamcanadian · October 30, 2014, 5:07am

Well, Like I said, the Chopin Preludes and Op. 25 Etudes are his best recordings, though I wouldn’t say they’re definitive by any means. Those may be the only official Sokolov recordings I actually like.

For my taste, most of his playing is heavy handed and full of ridiculously self-indulgent rubatos. I’m not a huge fan.

I disagree about Freire. The last 8 of his albums have been easy 10/10. Even his latest, which I wasn’t really looking forward to, turned out to be excellent. (Beethoven Emperor/Op.111). Phenomenal pianist with immaculately refined touch and natural, phrasing.

Da_Brotha · October 30, 2014, 5:38am

I saw his Emperor/Op. 111 disc on Amazon but I didn’t get it because I thought that his style wasn’t truly suited to those pieces (IMO he’s not really a heroic pianist). But I might give it a listen as per your recommendation.

treefingerz_TS · January 3, 2015, 8:21pm

Here’s the details on the first release if you haven’t seen it yet:
deutschegrammophon.com/en/cat/4794342

Really, not excited…and he’s one of my favourites. He’s already released the Chopin Preludes, so really in terms of new content, we are getting some Mozart and a few encores.

Zamunda · March 16, 2015, 6:25pm

And here is the recording to listen to for free:

http://www.musicme.com/#/Compilation/The-Salzburg-Recital-0028947943792.html

You may have to sign up (but it doesn’t hurt).

vladspeedster · February 3, 2019, 6:40pm

Depressing. Why doesn’t Sokolov play in Prague? This fucking place. It’s so beautiful but for some reason pianists avoid it. More go to Budapest for some reason, which I kind of understand because the city is amazing, probably more so than Prague, I prefer it, but still, internationally-viewed they’re at least equals and people generally favour Prague.

Brewtality · February 3, 2019, 7:03pm

How are the ladies in Prague?

vladspeedster · February 3, 2019, 7:34pm

I don’t know, I don’t meet any. I tend to stay away from them, I feel I have too much history for a relationship.

Ashley_Tervort · February 3, 2019, 7:36pm

Too much history to have a future.

Watch Eternal Sunshine

vladspeedster · February 3, 2019, 7:41pm

I’ve seen it and like it, it’s really good and a lot of fun too.

Perhaps (some) women tend to think of relationships as some kind of path to the future (or about the future), but I think they’re about the present, of being there and sharing the present moment, and that’s something I couldn’t give. Also I’m only interested in Russians and/or women who are ex-whores, whores or repressed whores.

xsdc · February 3, 2019, 8:49pm

vladspeedster · February 3, 2019, 9:09pm

haha what? Being in the present with an ex-addict is A-OK here.

BTW I am wrong about Sokolov and Prague. I forgot about his last recital here which I didn’t attend. I just saw that Prague isn’t on the 2019 list so far.