Event Details
Thrust into one of the brightest of classical music spotlights in 2013 when he won the Gold Medal and other top prizes at the XIV Van Cliburn Competition, Vadym Kholodenko has become widely heralded for his momentous technique, intelligent musicianship, and sheer beauty of sound.
A true virtuoso in the ‘golden era’ sense, Kholodenko possesses a breadth of knowledge and command of the piano literature, while maintaining a vast array of active repertoire. His recordings encompass solo, chamber, and orchestral works by many composers and have earned numerous accolades, such as Editor’s Choice Award (BBC Music Magazine) and the Diapason d’Or de l’année. His 2022 highly acclaimed release for Quartz Music pairs Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations and Fredric Rzewski’s ‘The People United Will Never Be Defeated!’
Solo and orchestral tours take him throughout Europe, North America, and Japan to play in leading venues and with many of the world’s finest orchestras. A committed chamber musician, he enjoys rewarding collaborations with fellow artists, such as Clara Jumi-Kang, Anastasia Kobekina, Vadim Repin, and the Belcea and Jerusalem string quartets. He has made numerous recordings with violinist Alena Baeva, with whom he appears in the cultural capitals of Florence, London, and Paris.
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Kholodenko began piano lessons at age six and began touring internationally at thirteen. He was educated at the Kyiv Lysenko State Music Lyceum and the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, under renowned pedagogues Natalia Gridneva, Borys Fedorov, and Vera Gornostaeva. First Prizes at the Sendai International Piano Competition (2010) and Schubert International Piano Competition (2011) preceded his winning gold at the Cliburn. Kholodenko is currently a resident of Luxembourg.
“One of Kholodenko’s two most notable qualities as a pianist are his stunning ringing tone, which allows him to leave notes hanging in the air longer than the physics of acoustics would suggest is possible. The other is an opposite crisp and spectacular digital speed.” — Los Angeles Times
“Ground-cleaving dynamic power and scorching virtuosity” — South Florida Classical Review
“Playing that pulls no punches: Kholodenko is in the elite of classical pianists.” — The Critic (Norman Lebrecht)
"Vadym Kholodenko’s ear-tickling trills and textural transparency…set the stage for the intimate, subtle and crisply detailed playing to come." — Gramophone
“On the one hand extremely powerful playing, whilst on the other imbued with every degree of subtle piano shades—both of which are readily available to this winner of the Van Cliburn Competition (2013).” — Die Presse (Austria)
“Kholodenko demonstrates an iron-clad technique, capable of moments of crystalline delicacy.” — The Guardian
“Kholodenko plays with conviction and purpose, with a delicate and wistful side to his artistry that is utterly charming.” — New York Classical Review
PROGRAM
WILLIAM BYRD
First Pavan and Galliard
John Come and Kiss me now
KAIJA SAARIAHO
Ballade
BEETHOVEN
Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, no. 1
Intermission
CHOPIN
3 Mazurkas, Op. 56
4 Mazurkas, Op. 41
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58
