Vestard Shimkus - Rachmaninov - Sonata No.2 (4/4)

Pianist Vestard Shimkus plays 1st version of 3rd movement of Piano Sonata No.2 op.36 by Sergei Rachmaninov. Recorded live on March 24th, 2008.

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, 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
• Rachmaninov
• Sonata
• No.2
• op.36
• piano
• classical

[DebraWarman]

OMG that was WONDEFRUL!!!!! is that the horowitz arrangement???

[meervieniiba]

No, it's the original 1st version (from 1913) by Rachmaninov himself long before he created the easier 2nd version on 1931.

[dpodsful]

Awesome performance. I like how you quote the opening arpeggio from 1st mvt in the end of this piece. Also, like the flash of underwear at the end.

[ScottHolliday1]

In a word - WOW! As with the concertos, the texture of this piece is SO thick, like that of a full symphony orchestra. To capture the colors, the melodies, and most importantly, to capture the heart of the phrases and bring it all together coherently - is something this boy does brilliantly. And yes - there are all those notes. The facial expressions and gestures? Sure!!!

[NMPLage]

Maravilhoso !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PeacefulStrife]

In the introduction, his left hand is wayy to strong.

[88alan8800]

great performance. terrible bow.

[meneltar]

Bravissimo!

Really really nice rendition of this marvelous work.

I'd just ask for no facial expressions/exaggerated gestures, but...

[meneltar]

How does Horowitz version stays betewen 1913 and 1931 versions?

I'm still listenint to it, i'll comment as soon as i finish.

[olivier0485]

époustouflant!!

[brtherjohn]

Absolutely stunning!  What more can be said?