OLEG VOLKOV BIOGRAPHY

OLEG VOLKOV

Russian-born pianist Oleg Volkov came to the United States in the summer of 1990 to compete in the University of Maryland William Kapell International Piano Competition. Following his performance with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center, Mr. Volkov emerged as a winner of one of the coveted Kapell lead prizes. Along with this notable award came remarkable praise, respect, and admiration from American critics and audiences alike. With offerings of a visiting professorship and U.S. concerts, Mr. Volkov returned to the states on Christmas Day of that same year. He made his recital debut soon after his arrival, performing on the piano of Vladimir Horowitz. The recital, held at the Center for the Arts, George Mason University, launched a nationwide tour of the Horowitz Steinway Grand--and the American concert career of Mr. Volkov.

Mr. Volkov was born in Rostov-on-Don in the south of Russia. He studied in the Russian music schools, graduating with highest honors. He began studying with Maestro Victor Merzhanov at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 1977. A distinguished student at the Conservatory, he completed his postgraduate degree (doctor of musical arts) in 1987, again receiving an honors diploma.

Subsequently, Mr. Volkov was elected assistant professor at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory to work with Maestro Merzhanov. He held this position until leaving for the United States in late December 1990.

Since 1982 Mr. Volkov has performed in recital and as soloist with orchestras in many of the cities of the former Soviet Union, as well as cities in Japan, Spain, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Chile, and the United States. In March of 1992, Mr. Volkov appeared in recital for his New York debut at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. He is a prize winner of prestigious international competitions, including the 1989 Tokyo Competition, the 1982 Paloma O'Shea Competition (Spain), the 1984 Viotti Piano Competition(Italy), the 1990 William Kapell Competition(USA), and the 1991 Porto International Piano Competition(Portugal).

Mr. Volkov has two compact disc recordings under contract with Music Corporation of America (MCA). The first, released in January 1991, includes works of Beethoven, Liszt, Prokofiev and Shostakovich; the second released in November of 1991, features works by Haydn, Beethoven and Rachmaninov. Mr. Volkov has also recorded on the Melodia (USSR) and Fontec (Japan) labels. In April 1995 Brioso Recordings released two additional Volkov recordings .One compact disc includes music of Borodin, Cui, Liadov, Rimsky-Korsakov, D. Shostakovich and A. Scriabin. The second, a live recital performed in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall, features works of F. Schubert, S. Prokofiev, A. Scriabin, F. Kreisler-S. Rachmaninov, F. Liszt and R. Schumann. A recording of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1 and Schnittke’s Concerto for Piano and Strings with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Vassily Sinaisky conducting, was released in the fall of 1995 and an all Rachmaninov recording with Moscow Philharmonic, Andrei Tchistiakov conducting, was released in October 1996.

Since settling in the United States, Mr. Volkov has continued to gain critical and popular acclaim. During his first concert season in this country(‘92-’93), Oleg Volkov performed throughout the United States appearing in major cities in the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic States, the Mid-west and the Southwest. Mr.Volkov continued to perform on the Horowitz Steinway Grand during its national tour. In the nation's capital, the renowned Washington Performing Arts Society presented Mr. Volkov in recital at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Following seasons were highlighted with a Washington, DC premiere performance of Alfred Schnittke’s Concerto for Piano and Strings at the Kennedy Center with the National Chamber Orchestra, a guest soloist engagement with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, a weekend of performances in Oregon at the Britt Festival, a 12 stop tour covering Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic States(appearing both in recital and with orchestra), a performance with the National Symphony Orchestra at the renowned Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts, a debut performance with the Syracuse Symphony(NY) and a recital at the celebrated South Bay Center for the Arts(CA). Tours and single performances have taken Mr. Volkov to 18 states.

During Mr. Volkov's Moscow visit in May 1994, (one of the stops on the 12 stop tour) Russian radio and television made a 45 minute documentary covering his recital at Tchaikovsky Hall, his concerto performance at the Great Hall of the Conservatory, a master class and a special interview with the artist. The Royal Prince Nicholas, grandson of Tsar Nicholas II, attended both Moscow performances where he was introduced from the stage. At a special party held in honor of Oleg Volkov, Royal Prince Nicholas bestowed on Mr. Volkov the title of Count for his outstanding accomplishments in the piano performing arts. This was Mr. Volkov's first tour in his homeland since moving to the United States late in 1990.

Mr. Volkov has for years had a special affinity for Rachmaninov and his music. From the time he was a small boy, Oleg listened to the family stories involving his great grandmother’s friendship with Rachmaninov and the familial ties that developed out of that relationship. So it is with a particular interest that Mr. Volkov is drawn to playing and recording the music of Rachmaninov.

Just six months after the release of three new recordings produced in 1995, Mr. Volkov headed once again to Moscow to record 'all Rachmaninov' CD with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. This disc includes Concerto No.1 and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, plus Vocalise, Op. 34, No.14 transcribed for piano by Edward J. Leiter (world prémiére recording).

Brioso Recordings released two additional Volkov disks in 1997; one presents solo works of Beethoven, the other, Second Concerto by Rachmaninoff and Second Concerto by Saint-Saëns performed with the Moscow Philharmonic.

Classical musical stations throughout the country have broadcast Oleg Volkov's recordings, as well as live interviews with the artist. National Public Radio has presented portions of his recitals around the nation including selections from Mr. Volkov’s most recent performance in Moscow.

Last updated October 1997