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!"
I live in greece and often i have been to many of his concerts.I think that society and general people,are not ready to accept people like sgouros.People often see him as something weird.
I do not agree with them,ask anyone who lives in greece about sgouros!.The word "sgouros" in greek is a word you say if you think someone is highly talented.(yes to arts it is a new word!).To me sgouros is a prodigy.
People like him are not born every day,i think 1 child every 100 years or so,i agree that there are child prodigies who can play everything,but listen,he was 12 and there wont be a child who plays rach 3 and campanela at the age of 12 for a long time.
And at 11 he could play islamey,and other pieces.My teacher was there when he gave his final exams as a pianist to get his diploma (sgouros was very very young).Now moments like these you cant live them every day.
I am not suprised by the fact that he has not made a carreer like Richter,pollini or horowitz,or (you can place any pianist's name here).He is very different by nature by any other pianist.And that is a problem for many.And there is another problem.Everything he does even at the age he is now -(he is no longer 12)- is not accepted,the shadow of the child prodigy is still in him,and overshadows everything he does.
To me his concert's are not the typical concert you will go and hear,somewhere.I was amazed when i heard him play Listz/verdi riggoleto (maybe the fastest version you will ever hear in your life).And it is not only speed,it is the way of the he played the piece,it was no longer the typical liszt thing,the technical abilities he had,made him treat the piece the way he wanted (believe me i am a HUGE fan of martha argerich and horowitz but after hearing this i was almost ready to quit playing!it was ridiculusly fast(FAST!),and powerful!!!and all that at the age of 16 or 17 i think.I had learned to play that piece but after i heard sgouros i no longer had the will to present it on the concert platform anymore,i feel weak to do so!).
So accept him the way it is.Thats the secret.It is no use trying to accept or not things he does a certain way or not.He is not the typical pianist you will see.
Topic: Dimitris Sgouros?