He did not record the Rachmaninoff d minor at 12, he recorded at 14 with the Berlin philarmonic. He is possibly the most outstanding virtuoso under 30. Or even overall. Absolutely stunning.Arsha
oh, and listen chopin 1st 3rd part - the caracas philharmonic orchestra has some difficulties in playing this
That wouldn't surprise me. Prodigies who are deprived of a proper childhood usually learn how to entertain others rather than communicate with them, in a human-to-human sense, thus making them respected artists...ambassadors of musical expression. But, I've only heard a few Sgouros recordings--including his Rach 3 at age 12--and I have to say that although I'm really impressed, I would think twice about comparing his expressive nature to greats like Rubinstein, etc...I would have to hear a more recent recording, though. For all I know he's the best pianist alive today...Also, there's a story about him involving Richter, who had made a temporary stop at some music hall in Italy (or something like that, dunno the specifics) before being rushed into a back room excitedly by a piano teacher, who told Richter that he must listen to this new prodigy. Richter, who had heard hundreds of "prodigies" in his lifetime, was reluctant but finally agreed to humour the man. Well, needless to say, he was more than impressed by young Sgouros, who played for 3 or 4 hours for Richter without repeating a single piece (Richter could stop and say "Ehhh....Beethoven Op. 101" and Sgouros would oblige quickly, playing entirely from memory). Richter came out of the hall with huge eyes and told his friend--or whoever the man was--that he had asked the boy what he wanted to do when he grew up. Sgouros turned to Richter from the bench and said "Sviatoslav Richter!"
Topic: Dimitris Sgouros? 