Putin’s prize pianist becomes a rinkside accompanist

Putin’s prize pianist becomes a rinkside accompanist

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norman lebrecht

February 21, 2016

These are the latest accomplishments of Denis Matsuev, music advisor to the Russian President.

 

Денис Мацуев – олимпийский тапер (Из передачи “Вечерний Ургант”)

Posted by Денис Мацуев on Wednesday, 18 February 2015

(Click on the link if video does not pop out)

 

denis matsuev

Comments

  • Mick says:

    Actually he is a good pianist. It’s a shame he has prostituted himself to such a degree. But then, it is the price of a “career” these days, whether in the West or in the East. Btw, there is nothing but praise for his good sense of humor in the FB comments

    • Olassus says:

      He’s wonderful (not in everything) — and getting better, more probing and introspective.

      The last work I heard from him was so good I don’t think about his politics.

      We must remember to allow Russians to have their own perspective on their national leadership, and frankly Putin is hardly our biggest geo-political threat at present!

      • Mick says:

        I agree, Putin might not be the most appealing character, but his nastiness pales in comparison with the islamic threat we are facing.

  • Steinwayfanatic says:

    He’s an appallingly crude musician, and a keyboard basher.

  • Milka says:

    To stay with the pianist – he seems to have astonishing finger agility at the piano.
    His tonal range coloring is zilch ,his phrasing just passable ,he plays without offending
    any one and in the present climate of virtuosi worth a hearing if there is nothing better
    to do for the evening .There are quite a few out there with less agility but more to say
    musically. Like players of his type he is eminently out of mind when out of sight .

  • Robert says:

    Basically, he’s doing silent movie accompaniment.

    It was amusing and no one will be the worse for it.

  • Tatiana says:

    it’s a very popular comedy talk show! and Denis is improvising! lighten up you people always eager to judge a great artist!

  • debussyste says:

    He is good in the russian repertoire but his Kreisleriana were just passable with no real understanding on what this music is about. His has good fingers for sure !

  • Elizabeth Owen says:

    I’ve stopped going to see him as he belts hell out of the piano no coloring or feeling.

    Trifonov rules!

    • Furzwängler says:

      I’m not at all convinced by Trifonov. Highly overrated in my view. To take a couple of examples: his recording of Medtner’s 3rd Piano Concerto pales beside that of Demidenko, and his recent recording of Rachmaninov is notable for the way he cuts and mangles the lovely Chopin Variations.

      Try Benjamin Grosvenor. In a different league entirely.

  • SashaMirnaya says:

    To understand Russians, one needs to “learn humor”…Many things in Russia are done as a result of a joke, bet or as an outcome of a significant relationship of any nature. Career does come with a price. Also, my friends, please remember that some people are not as fortunate and at times freedom to be and do what they love comes with strings that are hard to even imagine. Wouldn’t be the first…won’t be the last…

  • paulo says:

    Basically, regarding some of the commentaries, I conclude that if a person is a successful classical musician, that person is not allowed to have fun, nor play another music genre. It always has to look and be serious. Come on, how old are you guys, 90?

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