Grigory Sokolov - The Salzburg Recital

Dazzling piano playing from a rarely heard master. Classic FM Drive Featured Album, 26 January 2015.

For his debut recital album for the Deutsche Grammophon label, the superb Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov presents an outstanding live recording from the Salzburg Festival.

For 20 years, the maestro has not allowed his recordings to be released. Up until now the only opportunity to hear him play is at live - sold out - concerts. This recital now released was actually given seven years ago.

Here Sokolov offers two piano sonatas in F major by Mozart, played with tremendous virtuosity and conviction but erring towards a free-flowing Romantic interpretation. His Chopin performances here are equally personal - and captivating.

As a bonus there are encore pieces from Scriabin, Rameau, and Bach which show off Sokolov's brilliance in all its varied moods.