Schumann-Liszt - Widmung - Vestard Shimkus

Pianist Vestard Shimkus plays "Widmung" by Robert Schumann (arranged by Franz Liszt).
Recorded live, October 2006.

Vestard Shimkus (Vestards Šimkus) studied in Riga, Los Angeles, Madrid and Munich with professors Dmitri Bashkirov, Daniel Pollack, Vadim Suchanov and others. Has also studied composition with Peteris Vasks.

Among his prizes are 1st prize at the international Bad-Kissinger KlavierOlympiade piano competition (Germany, 2007), Los Angeles Liszt Piano Competition (2002) and Stockholm Performing Artists Competition (2001). In 2002 he was awarded with the Grand Music Prize of Latvia (2002) and "White Star" order of Estonia (2005).

Shimkus has given performances throughout Europe, the USA, the Middle-East and Japan. Festival appearances have included Bergen Festival (Norway), Lockenhaus Gidon Kremer Festival (Austria), Kissinger Sommer Festival, Al Bustan Festival (Lebanon), amongst others. He has performed with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, KREMERata Baltica, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie and Tallin Chamber Orchestra and has collaborated with such conductors as Lawrence Foster, Vassily Sinaisky, Eri Klas, Woldemar Nelsson, Anu Tali, Jonathan Darlington, Andris Nelsons and Olari Elts.

Shimkus has released two solo CD albums and has had compositions published by Schott Music. His own newly composed piano concerto was premiered on July 2008.

Info: www.geocities.com/vestards

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Vestard
• Shimkus
• Vestards
• Šimkus
• Schumann
• Liszt
• Widmung
• piano
• classical
• transcription

[Pushkin62]

Wonderful performance! The best so far I have heard!

[bontempo01]

The melody really takes off on this one! Very very very good.

[ansonyeung825]

beautiful...

[smileydidysinger]

@Greg07623

then how he can play with 8 fingers

[ThatRachGirl]

@robert982 I haven't heard that many recordings, though so far, my favorite is Van Cliburn's classic interpretation (it's in the uploads by user Onegin65). He really projects the melody with a confident, steely but golden, and heroic tone that never fails to inspire me. Enjoy! :)

[robert982]

@ThatRachGirl Hi, I agree. I feel as if the piece should be played more quietly in general, but I nonetheless enjoy the Vestard's artistry. Could you recommend your favorite recording of the work?

[Greg07623]

@MissDramatique Thank you! I really was simultaneously thinking "poor guy, but wow can be play, regardless". In listening to this again I must say this is one of the most well articulated performances of this I have ever heard. His balance across all the ranges is better than most (may be due in part to the instrument...? Any chance you know the make of it?)

[MissDramatique]

@Greg07623

ouch. the picture was taken while playing, so his fingers are bendt, ergo you can't see them properly.

[pirramras1976]

coooool!!!

[pirramras1976]

COOOOLLL!!!



[pirramras1976]

VERY COOOOOOOOLLL!!!!!!!!!

[Greg07623]

Is he missing the 4th and 5th fingers on his left hand? This picture makes it look like someone shut the piano's lid on them. He does real well for 8 fingers though....I never would have known.