Grigory Sokolov Tickets

Grigory Lipmanovich Sokolov (b. April 18, 1950, Leningrad) - Soviet and Russian pianist, winner of The first prize of the III international Tchaikovsky competition. People's artist of the RSFSR (1988).

From the 1990s to the present lives in Verona, Italy

Education and teaching

He began studying music at the age of five, and at seven was admitted to a special music school at the Leningrad Conservatory in the piano class. Trained specialty L. I. Seligman. He gave his first solo concert at the age of 12.

In 1973 he graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory in the class Of M. Y. Halfin.

In 1975-1990 he taught (since 1986-Professor) at the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Conservatory.

The victory at the III International competition named after P. I. Tchaikovsky
In 1966, 16-year-old Leningrad ninth-grader Grigory Sokolov sensationally won the third international Tchaikovsky competition. For the award of first prize Sokolov voted on by 16 jurors, for Misha Dichter (USA) — 3, Edward Auer (USA) — 1. As recalled contemporary events, musicologist Alexander Yablonsky, on the sidelines of the contest have been circulating information that the first prize Sokolov insisted the Chairman of jury of pianists Emil Gilels. According to the musicologist, "Gilels best understood the degree of talent and skill of the boy, the only foresaw his great future and "did not hide" his foresight, but the decision was not made by him alone."

Creative career

Since the 1970s, Grigory Sokolov has been performing all over the world, preferring to tour in Europe.

Since the early 2000s, he refused to perform with orchestras and gives only solo concerts.

In 2003 and 2004, he was awarded the Franco Abbiati Award twice in a row.

In 2008, Grigory Sokolov was awarded the Arturo Benedetti Michelangelo prize.

In 2009 he was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of music.

In 2010, the resonance in the music press and music lovers received Sokolov's performance at the music festival in Salzburg, where he performs annually since 2008.

Grigory Sokolov refused the 2015 Cremona Music Award, not wanting to be on the same list as Norman Lebrecht.

The vast majority of Sokolov's solo concerts take place in Europe. Every year from Italy, where he has lived since the 1990s, the pianist comes to Russia. In April 2017 and 2018, the attention of music lovers was attracted by Grigory Sokolov's only concerts in St. Petersburg.

The pianist never acts in Moscow: the reason of unpleasant memories of painful the atmosphere after his victory in the competition. P. I. Tchaikovsky in 1966, which the Metropolitan public accepted without enthusiasm. Since Grigory Sokolov had not taken part in any competitions, and considers it optional for the musician