What are the critics saying
about Valery Kuleshov?
“He has everything: the fingers to negotiate the virtuoso repertory, the musicality and imagination to make the most familiar music sound fresh and compelling.”
-The New York Times
What's so extraordinary about Valery Kuleshov?
“The Mysterious Unrecognized Genius – A New Horowitz: ….Kuleshov — the person of a unique virtuoso gift. He has managed to revive and re-create the world of great virtuosos of the past. A deep penetration into the essence of music, and a most laborious operation over the sound are peculiar to him. His performance of Schumann’s Kreisleriana at the competition was just amazing, and this composition can be mastered only by mature musicians.”
-Soviet Culture newspaper, Moscow
Valery Kuleshov has accomplished the unique and incredibly difficult work of writing out by hand, note by note, the great master Vladimir Horowitz’s ten unpublished piano transcriptions by listening only to the LP recordings,. After hearing the recordings of his transcriptions played by Mr. Kuleshov, Vladimir Horowitz wrote to the young musician: “I was not only delighted by your fantastic performances, but I congratulate you on your keen ear and great patience that were required to write out, note by note, the scores of these unpublished transcriptions, by listening to my recordings.” (October 6, 1987).
Impressed by Mr. Kuleshov’s great talent, Vladimir Horowitz invited him to his New York apartment in 1989, a meeting that was touching and intimate. The maestro not only listened to the young virtuoso play, but also gave him most valuable advice and offered to give him consultations free of charge. Unfortunately, the great pianist’s death in November, 1989, left this plan unrealized.
Valery Kuleshov’s performing art is based on the best Russian piano traditions. One can find in his playing emotional sincerity, rich colors, brilliant virtuosity, profound understanding of composers’ styles and freshness of interpretation. His playing has been compared to the style of Vladimir Horowitz with vast dynamic contrasts, consisting of tremendous double-fortissimos followed by sudden delicate pianissimos. Mostly he is attracted to the romantic music by Schumann, Liszt, Chopin, Brahms, and Rachmaninov. The great place in his concert programs belongs to Scriabin’s works, as well as classical and contemporary music.
Interested in this incredible pianist and musician? Read on….