A poet of the keyboard: Arcadi Volodos and the measure of an artist

Arcadi Volodos

By Asher Rubenstein, 13 December 2025

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“each phrase had its contour, shaped through whispered, grief-stricken cries”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 12 December 2025

Schubert, Piano Sonata no. 20 in A major, D.959

Schumann, Davidsbündlertänze, Op.6

Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody no. 13 in A minor, S 244/13 (arr. Volodos)

Brahms, Intermezzo in E flat major, Op.117 no.1

Schubert, Six moments musicaux, D.780 no. 3 in F minor Allegro moderato

Lecuona, Suite Andalucía: Malagueña

Mompou, Impresiones intimas: Pajaro Triste

Arcadi Volodos, Piano

Technical excellence but muted expressivity: Arcadi Volodos

David Karlin, 7th March

Armed with extraordinary precision, the Russian pianist brings as much elegance to his compatriots Rachmaninov and Scriabin as he does to Schubert.

***11

Volodos takes his listeners to the edge of the abyss

Alexander Hall, 14th December

Arcadi Volodos displays consummate artistry in Schubert's last piano sonata and two other keyboard pieces by Brahms.

*****

Full-bodied Brahms and Schubert from Arcadi Volodos

David Karlin, 1st February

Arcadi Volodos is a big man, and when he sits down to the piano, he produces a big sound. The extraordinary richness of timbre was obvious from the first notes of Brahms' 6 Klavierstücke, Op.118.

****1

Passion, individuality and extremes: Arcadi Volodos in recital

Nick Boston, 28th October

Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos held the audience's attention with live performance at its best, at times eccentric, yet totally captivating and always uplifting.

****1

Revelatory Brahms: The Gewandhaus Orchestra at the Barbican

Sam Wigglesworth, 23rd October

For anyone lucky enough to have witnessed the last Barbican residency from Riccardo Chailly and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the striking, thoughtful and vivid accounts of Brahms they gave here should not be a surprise. In Brahms’ Piano Concerto no. 2, however, orchestra outdid soloist.

****1

Arcadi Volodos: un gran sabio del piano actual

Leonardo Mattana Ereño, 4th June

Arcadi Volodos ofreció un recital inconmensurable desde la sencillez y familiaridad que dan la madurez de un pianista técnicamente brillante y de una gran sensibilidad.

*****

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Asher Rubenstein

Asher Rubenstein is a London-based pianist, studying Music at the University of Cambridge. He writes regularly for International Piano and volunteers at music festivals such as La Roque d’Anthéron. A devoted concertgoer and unapologetic pianophile, he’s on a mission to hear as many of the greats as time (and money) will allow. When absent from the concert hall, Asher can usually be found baking – and swimming to burn off his efforts.