When most 16-year-olds were drinking milkshakes at the local McDonald's and worrying about their algebra exams, pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn was perfecting definitive interpretations of Mozart concertos and making classical music critics at The New York Times and Washington Post blush.
Seven years later, at age 23, the Russian pianist is still making critics blush with his incredible technique, fluent control over dynamics, an intuitive sense of tonality and an emotional vigor rare for such a young musician.
A good many pianists demonstrate formidable technique and finger control but lack the musicianship to interpret compositions creatively. Solzhenitsyn has managed to hone both aspects of his piano, affording him a repertoire which is not only technically challenging but emotionally moving as well.
He blends a style which evokes the expressive colors of each composition with a confident, self-assured presence on the keyboard. Solzhenitsyn, however, rarely compromises the integrity of the music for the sake of technical gimmickry.
In addition to appearing as a soloist with the Montreal, Detroit, Baltimore, Cincinatti and National Symphony Orchestras, Solzhenitsyn has also won international acclaim for performing with the Orchestre de Paris, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
At age 20, after receiving the Avery Fisher career grant, Solzhenitsyn studied piano in London and then settled down at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he is still a student.
Though he is a serious pianist, Solzhenitsyn has also studied conducting at the Curtis Institute and was recently appointed Associate Conductor of Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra.
Tonight's concert will be a slight departure from Solzhenitsyn's Austro-German repertoire, featuring composers such as Debussy and Bartok. Though Debussy's compositions don't offer considerable technical obstacles, the lyrical complexity and interpretive freedom of his compositions often baffle even the most accomplished pianists.
Other selections include Mozart's "Rondo in A Minor" and Schubert's "Sonata in B Flat Major, D.960," in addition to Debussy's "Images, Book II" and Bartok's "Sonata." All the pieces present their own challenges, calling for Solzhenitsyn's unique ability to approach each composition in its own emotional context.
Tickets for tonight's 8 p.m. performance are available at the Hopkins Center Box Office. They are $8.50 for Dartmouth students and $17 for reserved seats. The recital will be followed by a spotlight discussion.
