Odessa Nachrichten

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Odessa Nachrichten
Solche Interpretation des berühmten 2 Konzertes von Rachmaninoff habe ich zum ersten Mal in
meinen Leben gehört. Wir sind Pathos gewöhnt in diesem grandiosen 'Lied über Russland", und
Klavier, das so laut wie nur möglich klingt. Botvinov hat sicher die dazu nötige Stärke und
Virtuosität. Aber er hat entschieden, das nicht zu demonstrieren. Er hat einfach gespielt. Und
manchmal überaus nicht laut. Sondern tief und lyrisch. Ohne jede 'Grandiosität". Und plötzlich
war mir klar, was für eine wunderschöne, aber unglaublich traurige Musik es ist! Es war purer
Zeitgeist.
Ich muss gestehen -Botvinov macht das, was keiner bis jetzt geschafft hat: Er belebt pure
Romantik mit ihrem feinen Geist und wahrer Tragik. Und er macht das in unserem
unromantischen Zeitalter! Wir hatten Glück. Solche Konzerte sind so rar! Es war eine
Offenbarung. Ohne solche Ereignisse verliert unser Leben seinen Sinn.
Zerkalo Nedeli Kiev
"Concerto for piano with thunderstorm, clouds and stars in the lake - Wonder is
near...
...Alexey Botvinov is a national treasure;priceless sourse of living energy. He can awake in human
hearts
lost
ability
to
feel
divine
beauty
and
harmony.
It was not just a concert. Not just an experiment. It was an important cultural event.
Stage was covered in black. Black-dressed pianist, black piano, and only light on his face, hands
and huge videoscreen. There were two VJ's in the middle of hall with a lot of technic and
computers. They creating during concert their own parallel world. Pianist and VJ's taking
audience
and
evoke
ideas,
memories,associations,
feelings.
We see on big screen hands of Botvinov. This hands- garantee of living beauty in our country.
How he can have this amazing ability to create so unforgattable images on piano?
And his incredible, alive, colourful, stunning sound.
Audience was absolutely fascinated. Half of hall were people which never visited concert hall
many
of
them
young
people;
they
were
totally
excited.
Main feeling after concert was a feeling of innovation, something whom belongs future of
classical music business
Odessa Nachrichten Visible sound
Ambitious projekt of splendid pianist Alexey Botvinov - step to the future. And especially
for young people.
Probably 21 century will be century of videomusic. Triumph of picture was triumph of dynimics
of
life.
Picture
and
sound
formed
complexe
counterpoint.
Almost always innovation gets a hostile reception. Many "professionals' (mostly old people)
grumbled - Why all these experiments? We like music oldfashioned way.
But youth was absolutely excited. I heard somebody's dispute - Its 21 century art! -you heared
music in your 20 century with ears, but we want to hear music also with our eyes!
And i agree: you like it or not, but art development moves toward synthesis of arts. I think now
that in 10 years, but maybe even yearly, CD's will be selling in music shops together with
videoscores, made from musicians. And maybe later everybody will be able to create own
videoart to the favourite music, and it will be great alternative to computer videogames...
Odessa Zeitung
The result of concert was amazing - we have seen a birth of art's synthesis, new stage genre.
Linköpings tidningen
First piano concerto of Tchaikovski so well known, that it is almost risky to perform it
because of danger to be pompous, too heavy and too virtuous. But, it seems to be, that it is
possible to discover other sides of this music. Alexey Botvinov offered us something very
different - intimacy, wonderful dancing and melodic discoveries, colourful and playful
interpretation.
Also
cadenza
sounded
deeply
thoughtful
and
sincere.
Afterwards this impression has continued the theme of second movement was full of eternal
beauty, not tiring sweet, and finale sounded light and sparkling. About encore: famous cismoll prelude of Rachmaninoff was really authentic for composers idea.
Norrköpings tidningen Botvinov shows highest class
Alexey Botvinov demonstrated that in First Concerto it is possible not only triumphal impress
with cascades of accords, but also to show symphonic abilities of grand piano. He astonished
with his attractive skill and melodic clearness.
The Jakarta Post Alexey Botvinov wows audience
Not many pianists have the technical and emotional scope of Alexey Botvinov. Botvinov opened
his recital with Chaconne in D minor from Violin Partita No.4, BWV 1004, a piece by J.S. Bach.
There was a fascinating ebb and flow to his playing, echoing the dynamism and tension of this
composition. Botvinov again demonstrated his range and artistry when his played three works by
F.Chopin: Nocturne in D flat major, Op.27 No. 2, Ballade No.1 in G minor Op. 23 and Ballade No.4 in
F minor Op. 52. He really captured Chopin's romantic style while playing the pieces. With his high
fingering technique, he explored all of the chords without hesitancy; the music slowly and
smoothly swelling from pianissimo to fortissimo. The Ukrainian-born pianist was really in his
element performing the works of the Russian composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei
Rachmaninoff, his powerful finger work producing a sound that could have filled a concert hall
of thousands. It has been said that Rachmaninoff, a composer, pianist and conductor, had
enormous hands that were able to span the interval of a 13th on the keyboard, which makes
many of his works extremely difficult to perform. But Botvinov interpreted them without any
difficulty, and no false notes. After performing Tchaikovsky's works from Seasons, Op. 37a,
Rachmaninoff 4 Preludes and Elegie Op. 3 No. 1 (which is one of his favorites ), Botvinov
demonstrated his other talent as a music arranger, when he played Poem Op. 38 no.6 Au!, Romance
Op.21 No.7 : How Fair This Spot and Op.14 no. 11: Spring Water which were all composed by
Sergei
Rachmaninoff,
but
arranged
for
solo
piano
by
Botvinov.
Botvinov really is a pianist for whom everything seems possible.
Kommersant, Kiev
Alexey Botvinov - ist weltweit einer der besten Rachmaninoff Interpreten.
Svenska Dagbladet, Stokholm
Botvinov - one of the best Rachmaninoff interpreters of our time. It is so good , that there are
such musicians in the world!
Stavanger Aftenblad
Soloist of the evening was young Russian pianostar Alexey Botvinov. His performance was
technically perfect in every small detail. Botvinov played Grieg Concerto in romantic way, not
how we used to listen in Norway. But his very sure and solid interpretation inspired audience
to deserved long standing ovation.
Kölnische Rundschau, 10.10.2006
Der ausgezeichnete Pianist Alexey Botvinov vermied bei aller technischen Bravour virtuose
Ekstasen, spielte den Kopfsatz und das Adagio eher zurückhaltend.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Alexey Botvinov spielte erstaunlich filigran und zurückgenommen. Bestechend wirkte der
musikalisch-technische Fundus, der es ihm ermöglicht, große Interpretationsbögen zu
entwickeln und die Musik dabei natürlich fließen und atmen zu lassen.