Arcadi Volodos

The Festival dei Due Mondi welcomes Arcadi Volodos for the first time, one of the most sought-after figures in contemporary pianism. A reserved artist, sparing and selective in his public appearances, Volodos turns each concert into an exclusive occasion - anticipated as a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with one of the most profound and visionary musical personalities on the international stage.

Born in St Petersburg and trained between Russia and Spain, where he now resides, Volodos drew worldwide attention from the outset for his transcendental technique and, at the same time, for an exceptional poetic sensibility. Described by The Independent as “an incomparable poet of the keyboard,” his performances—celebrated alike by critics and audiences in the world’s leading concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Berlin Philharmonie - unite virtuosity and introspection, sonic power and an exquisitely refined palette of tone, achieving a balance few pianists today can equal.

In Spoleto, Volodos presents a programme of striking poetic resonance: Chopin’s Mazurkas Op. 33 No. 4, Op. 41 No. 2, and Op. 63 No. 2, the Prelude Op. 45, and the Sonata No. 2 – works in which dance, melancholy, and drama intertwine with a reimagining of classical forms – followed by Schubert’s luminous and contemplative Sonata in G major, D 894, a summit of lyricism and expressive depth. A programme that promises a rare and unforgettable listening experience.