Oleg Volkov

Oleg Volkov (born 1958) is a Russian pianist.

Volkov was born in the south of Russia in 1958. He began his musical studies at the age of seven, studying in Russian music schools, where he graduated with honors. His studies continued at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, entering in 1977, where he studied piano with Victor Merzhanov. After his graduation, with honors, in 1982, he continued his postgraduate studies with Merzhanov, earning a DMA in 1986 with an honors diploma. After his graduation, Volkov was appointed to the position of assistant professor to Merzhanov, where he continued to teach while combining it with a busy concert schedule enjoying numerous performances throughout USSR and Europe until his departure for the United States in December 1990. Numerous successes at the international competitions led to the invitation to join Music Faculty at the University of Maryland as a Visiting Professor.

International concert pianist career took Volkov all over the Globe (from Chile to Japan). Since settling in the U.S, Volkov has gained critical and popular acclaim as a concert artist and a teacher. He has appeared in concerts in major cities throughout the United States, both as a solo artist and playing concertos with principal orchestras. Strong endorsement by Mstislav Rostropovich resulted in a performance with the National Symphony Orchestra in front of a sold-out crowd of over 5,000 people. In 1994, Volkov gave a charitable tour of 14 recitals and orchestra performances along with numerous master classes in his native Russia with all the proceeds having been donated to music institutions to further foster their development. In 1998, Volkov was awarded a prestigious Distinguished Artist of Russia award.

A dozen of Volkov’s recordings that cover musical styles from Haydn to Schnittke and released on Music Corporation of America (MCA), Melodia (USSR), Fontec (Japan), and Brioso Recordings (USA) labels have gained high critical acclaim:

"Throughout this recording (BR105) Oleg Volkov displays his usual deft pianistic and technical skills. He makes about the best case imaginable for the lesser pieces and is an excellent interpreter of the highly individual Scriabin preludes and sonata, capturing the mystical and intense nature of the latter piece with keen insight." Classical Net, CD Reviews

"The Rachmaninov transcriptions (BR106) are full of color and sparkle, full of subtle shadings and impressive virtuosity. Ditto for the Liszt Gnomenreigen. And his Scriabin, as on the other disc, is compellingly rendered." Classical Net, CD Reviews

"...this is one of the best recordings (BR109) of this (Shostakovich) concerto on the market" Fanfare, May/June 1996

"Mr. Volkov is one of the most promising... pianists." NetRadio with Bill Parker - Spotlight CD of the Week, May 25–31, 1997

"Volkov's reading is a truly outstanding, revelatory one..." Classical Net, CD Reviews

"Volkov offers a refreshingly modern journey (BR111) through the marvelous variations...Add this version to your collection" Best Classical CD Buys, The CD Scout, Web Edition

"Put simply, you're not likely to hear playing with this kind of individual approach in the concert hall or on recordings." Classical Net, CD Reviews

"What is most noticeable about Volkov here (BR114) is his consummate artistry from first note to last. There is not a measure that passes beneath his fingers without thought or without feeling...Volkov, one might daringly observe, approaches artistic perfection in this performance. In sum, this is one of the finest Rachmaninov Seconds I’ve ever heard." Classical Net, CD Reviews

“The first pressing of this disc, with Oleg Volkov as soloist and Andrei Tchistiakov conducting the Moscow Philharmonic, sold out completely in three weeks. The performances-fiery, brilliant and deeply poetic deserve this success, and a new pressing is now available. Also available and equally impressive is Volkov's new Beethoven disc ( BR 115), containing Sonatas No. 3 and 16 and shorter works." The Washington Post

After the death of Vladimir Horowitz, Oleg Volkov was the first pianist ever to play the Horowitz’s Steinway piano in a public concert. The Washington Post wrote of that performance: “…the best work of the evening was the second encore, Schumann's "Trauemerei," played with a gentleness and warmth enhanced by the fine acoustics of the GMU Center for the Arts, a sensitivity and flexibility of phrasing that approached the expressiveness of a human voice. This number was worth the long drive from downtown Washington”. This performance started the two-year tour of the Horowitz’s Steinway piano throughout the United States where Volkov was a frequent guest artist

Volkov's students are winners of numerous international piano competitions and awards.