Evgeni Koroliov and Grigory Sokolov: 2 Russian titanic pianists to perfectly finish the year!
Koroliov, an outstanding Bach performer, programmed the Goldberg Variations at the Maison de la Radio. He recorded the work 2 decades ago, and has played it many times (I heard at least 2 concert broadcasts on the radio, and there is also a DVD from 2008) but not in Paris as far as I know.
The 1st time I saw him in the concert hall was at the TCE for an exceptional Art of the Fugue, and he has graced us with remarkable concerts each and every time ever since, including another all Bach recital on a Sunday morning, something like 5 years ago which was as close to perfection as you can get.
György Ligeti said of Koroliov’s Bach: « … but if I am to be allowed only one musical work on my desert island, then I should choose Koroliov’s Bach, because forsaken, starving and dying of thirst, I would listen to it right up to my last breath ».