VIVA VOLODOS!

Arcadi Volodos is a young Russian Pianist that burst onto the classical music scene in the lat 1990s.  Many young artists take the competition route.  Initially the Tchaikowsky Competition was the pre-eminent international piano competition.  Over the last two decades it has been eclipsed by the Van Cliburn in Texas.  A handsome few pianists side-step the competition circuit and manage to achieve renown on their own (or through the skill and artifice of a excellent manager).  Volodos is just such an artist. 

Gifted with the eloquence and technique of Sergei Rachmaninoff, one of the titans pianist/composer titans of the early 20th century, and a compatriot, Volodos has received critical acclaim the world over.  He is particularly skilled at transcription, the art of arranging a piece from one instrument or medium to another.    Among his most famous transcriptions, the Rondo Alla Turca, the final movement of Mozart's Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331, has been swept up by every daring and ambitious pianist, myself included ( I should have it down pat in another year or so :)  Volodos' transcription is basically Mozart on steroids.  I have juxtaposed the two versions below.
  

Volodos manages to infuse Herr Mozart with some serious bravura while throwing in some light-hearted humor.  Some artists call the piece affected and vulgar, I however, love the humor and grandiosity of the piece.  One day I will perform my own version on YouTube.  Stay tuned!