If you're into world-class piano, this one’s a big deal: Russian pianist Alexei Volodin, winner of the prestigious Géza Anda International Piano Competition, is coming to Shanghai Concert Hall on February 6. He’ll be performing Beethoven, Tchaikovsky/Pletnev, and Stravinsky — the kind of program that shows off both his lyrical touch and his monster technique. Serious classical fans should not miss this.

Alexei Volodin — first prize winner of the prestigious Géza Anda International Piano Competition and one of the leading Russian pianists of his generation — will appear at Shanghai Concert Hall on February 6, 2026. Known for his deeply sensitive touch and exceptional technical command, Volodin is a pianist sought after by major orchestras worldwide.

Rooted firmly in the Russian piano tradition through his mentor Eliso Virsaladze, Volodin brings both authority and authenticity to his interpretations. Whether shaping the structural clarity of German-Austrian repertoire or unleashing the passionate intensity of Russian works, his playing reflects a lineage of true craftsmanship.

His collaborations span an impressive roster of ensembles and conductors, including the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and maestros such as Valery Gergiev and Semyon Bychkov. Each performance underscores the strength of his artistic heritage.

For this recital, Volodin presents two of Beethoven’s most emblematic sonatas — Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique” and Sonata No. 26 “Les Adieux” — followed by Pletnev’s virtuosic arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Suite and Stravinsky’s Three Movements from Petrushka. Together, these works showcase a sweeping range of emotional depth and pianistic brilliance.

Program

• Beethoven: Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique”
• Beethoven: Sonata No. 26 “Les Adieux”

— Intermission —

• Tchaikovsky/Pletnev: Sleeping Beauty Suite
• Stravinsky: Three Movements from Petrushka

(Running time: approx. 95 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission)

Artist Biography

Celebrated for his expressive colors and technical mastery, Alexei Volodin is in high demand on the international stage. His wide-ranging repertoire spans Beethoven and Brahms to Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Shchedrin, and Medtner.

During the 2025/26 season, Volodin performs across Europe, Asia, and North America, with appearances in Canada, Israel, Greece, Japan, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Taiwan. His solo recitals bring him to venues such as Vilnius, Winnipeg, Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, and Shanghai Concert Hall.

Volodin’s orchestral partnerships include appearances with Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, China NCPA Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, the Mariinsky Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. He has collaborated with renowned conductors including Valery Gergiev, Semyon Bychkov, Stanislav Kochanovsky, and Robert Trevino.

He performs regularly at major international venues such as the Wiener Konzerthaus, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Palau de la Música, Paris Philharmonie, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and others.

As an avid chamber musician, Volodin maintains long-standing partnerships with artists such as Igor Levit, Claire Huangci, and Sol Gabetta. He has collaborated with Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky, the Borodin Quartet, the Modigliani Quartet, Cuarteto Casals, and the Cremona Quartet. This season includes trio recitals with Ilya Gringolts, Alban Gerhardt, and Eldbjørg Hemsing, as well as duo collaborations with Igor Levit, Claire Huangci, and Edith Peña.

His latest recording on the Mariinsky label features Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 4 conducted by Valery Gergiev. His previous releases include solo albums of Rachmaninov, Schumann, Ravel, and Scriabin, as well as an award-winning Chopin recording recognized by Classica and Diapason.

Volodin appears frequently at major festivals, including La Roque d’Anthéron, the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, the Moscow Easter Festival, and the Dresdner Musikfestspiele.

Born in 1977 in Leningrad, Volodin studied at the Gnessin Academy and later at the Moscow Conservatory with Eliso Virsaladze. He joined the International Piano Academy Lake Como in 2001 and gained international attention in 2003 after winning the Géza Anda Competition in Zürich. He is an exclusive Steinway artist.