Grigory Sokolov in Florence

Grigory Sokolov is a Russian classical pianist, born in Leningrad in 1950. At 16, he became the youngest winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. His repertoire ranges across Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann and Brahms. For decades, Grigory Sokolov has concentrated his public concert work on solo recitals. His 2008 appearance at the Salzburg Festival was later released as The Salzburg Recital, and his programs typically comprise two substantial halves followed by a sequence of encores. He performs in purpose-built classical concert halls: the Great Hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus has hosted his recitals, as has the Philharmonie de Paris.