Your thoughts on Alexei Sultanov

[piulento]

Definitely one of the more controversial piano players to ever (almost) win the Chopin competition. Just wanted to hear your opinion on his playing.
Good? Not good? Why? Favorite recordings? etc.
I discovered him 2-3 years ago while looking for some good recordings of Schubert's impromptu op. 90 no. 4 (which I was learning at the time) and was completely blown away by his level of expressiveness. I'll have to admit that he overdoes it at some points, but it's totally worth it. Never have I heard a pianist that pays that much attention to details and uses them to express himself in such a musical manner. It's a shame he died so young...
Here is said Schubert recording, along with some other wonderful recordings of his playing:

[minor9th]

I enjoy his playing very much. I have most of his CDs and the DVD of the Van Cliburn Competition the year he won. He plays with such great passion and intensity. At the time, I was a recording engineer, and I recorded his concert with our local symphony as part of his prize from the VC competition. He was very friendly/enthusiastic despite his very limited English! His early death was so tragic.

[piulento]

At the time, I was a recording engineer, and I recorded his concert with our local symphony as part of his prize from the VC competition. He was very friendly/enthusiastic despite his very limited English!

You lucky dog!
Did you get to work with some other pianists?

[minor9th]

You lucky dog!
Did you get to work with some other pianists?

Sure. A few that come to mind include Abbey Simon, Ruth Laredo (incredibly rude and demanding!), Mischa Dichter, Anton Kuerti, Bella Davidovich, Jean Yves Thibaudet, Ursula Oppens, Lorin Hollander, and many others whose names escape me at the moment. I wish I had kept logs/journals at the time.

[suethemoon]

Genius. His ability to create such an enormous sound with a tiny frame is amazing. Favourite performances are definitely his Mephisto Waltz from Van Cliburn and his liszt Sonata.

[diomedes]

He had a unique approach to his repertoire and music making, he stood out quite a bit, in a very  good and exciting way. In particular was a truly bombastic Rachmaninov sonata 2.

[nikkaflute]

Replying to this thread almost precisely 10 years after it was posted (only 4 days off from the decade mark) because I could not keep my thoughts to myself regarding the GENIUS Alexei Sultanov. His performances are jaw-dropping, exhilarating, tear-jerking, heart-wrenching, every adjective used to describe him would not be enough. His Scriabin, Liszt, and Chopin are unmatched. Take a listen to his Chopin Ballades, Etudes, Nocturnes, Waltzes... and you will never be the same. I was first introduced to his playing through listening to Scriabin op. 8 no. 12, and after hearing his inner voicing and tormented expression, I have become addicted. Not a day goes by without listening to Sultanov, and his music will remain alive forever.

[dnak441]

Probably one of the greatest losses the piano world has had. His sound was powerful, novel, and exciting. He took risks others weren't willing, yet he was always extraordinarily sensitive.

Which is evident given that we are talking about him more than 20 years after he passed.

[dizzyfingers]

Yes, agreed, we don't want to forget Alexei Sultanov, his legacy deserves to be passed down to new generations of pianists, to be listened to and talked about.  An incredible talent and visionary.  I'm glad you resurrected this post; the above clips; and there are many more that warrant listening.