Pianist Pavel Kolesnikov, hailed as a “Poet of the keyboard” by The Guardian, will appear in two performances presented by Hong Kong Sinfonietta on 19 and 22 February, as part of the 53rd Hong Kong Arts Festival: HKS Recital Series: Pavel Kolesnikov Piano Recital, and Great Piano Concertos: Pavel Kolesnikov Plays Beethoven with Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of Music Director Christoph Poppen.
Ahead of the concerts, we had the chance to chat in depth with Kolesnikov, who shared with us his musical journey, his thoughts on arts and music, and his enthusiasm to collaborate again with Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
Pavel Kolesnikov became a sensation in the world of classical music in 2012 when he won one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions – the Honens International Piano Competition at the age of 23.
Born in 1989 in Siberia into a family of scientists, Kolesnikov started to learn the piano and violin at the age of 6, before concentrating solely on the piano ten years later. As told in an interview, his path to music started at a symphonic concert around the age of 6, where the soloist was wearing a purple velvet dress. Kolesnikov said that he had never seen a colour more sumptuous, and that was how he decided he wanted to play the violin!
His early exposure to music was enriched not only by his parents but also by the vibrant cultural landscape of Russia, where classical music holds a significant place.
“Music was something people did in those scientific circles in Siberia. Music was vital. There was an upright piano at home, and I started playing with it. Then, I was brought to music school, where they discovered I had some inclination, perhaps even talent. I didn’t have what they call a natural technique for the piano. But I was greedy for music. I loved the world of sound and particularly how, with the piano, you can create everything, a whole infinity within the relatively small range of the keyboard,” Kolesnikov recalls.
At the age of 16, Kolesnikov’s journey took a pivotal turn when he moved to Moscow to study at the prestigious Russian Gnessin Academy of Music. It is in Moscow, surrounded by peers who were equally passionate about music, where he honed his skills further, delving into the works of iconic composers such as Chopin, Rachmaninov and Beethoven. Then, Kolesnikov studied at Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, at London’s Royal College of Music, and at Brussels’ Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. He finally moved to London, UK, and was a member of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists from 2014 to 2016.
“My technique was very amateurish and still terribly undeveloped by the age of 15. At that point, I was able to start working on it consciously under the guidance of some amazing teachers. But technique has never interested me in isolation. For me, it has always stemmed from vision, from a musical idea. As long as you know what you want to achieve, you can find a way to do it. The brain will find a solution, and the hands will follow. This is particularly true for the most mysterious aspects of piano playing—sound and pedalling. To this day, my relationship with the piano is largely intuitive,” he explains.
Kolesnikov gave recitals at Wigmore Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Carnegie Hall in New York, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Louvre and Salle Gaveau in Paris, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam. He also performed at Festival International de Piano La Roque d’Anthéron, the Musiq3 Festival in Brussels, Piano aux Jacobins in Toulouse, and Aldeburgh Festival, among others.
An avid ensemble player, Kolesnikov regularly performs in piano duo with Kazakh pianist Samson Tsoy, and collaborates with other musicians such as cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, the Hermès Quartet and the Calidore String Quartet. He is a founding member of Trio Aventure with Elina Buksha and Aurélien Pascal, and performed the complete cycle of Brahms’ violin and viola sonatas with Lawrence Power in 2019.
Kolesnikov also records albums, with repertoire ranging from rarely heard harpsichord pieces by Louis Couperin to Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons. His album of Chopin’s Mazurkas won the Diapason d’Or de l’Année, one of world’s most prestigious awards in the area of recording. His sixth album featuring Bach’s Variations was released in 2020, and he collaborated with legendary Belgian dancer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker on a new choreographic work based on the Variations, which was premiered at the Vienna Festival.
What truly distinguishes Kolesnikov and makes him a poet of the keyboard is his interpretative style which offers the listener a fresh and unexpected perspective on familiar pieces. He approaches each piece not merely as a technical exercise but as a narrative to be conveyed. His ability to connect with the music on a personal level allows him to communicate the emotions embedded in the notes. Whether playing a delicate Chopin nocturne or a powerful Rachmaninov concerto, Kolesnikov’s interpretations evoke a wide range of emotions.
He is also passionate about music education and mentorship. He recognises the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians, understanding that music is not only about performance but also about sharing knowledge and inspiring others. Through masterclasses and workshops, Kolesnikov imparts his insights to young pianists, encouraging them to explore their unique artistic voices and embrace the emotional power of music.
“I believe, echoing the great David Hockney, that art permits us to understand the world in a way that nothing else does. Our perception of the world around us is moulded by language, and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to understand things that are not expressed through it. But this verbalised reality is just one dimension, and the non-verbal art forms are simply a different way of experiencing, exploring, and communicating knowledge of the universe that is mysterious and diverse beyond words. If we value knowledge and believe in its importance, we must give ourselves, and our children, a chance to learn the language of the arts,” he explains with great philosophy.
After a spectacular début with Hong Kong Sinfonietta in 2023, Kolesnikov returns to the city for two long-awaited performances. For his solo recital on 19 February, he will present a riveting programme juxtaposing the crystalline and impressionistic beauty of works by Mozart and Ravel. For his concerto on 22 February, he will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4 with the orchestra and Music Director Christoph Poppen, in a programme further highlighted by Schumann’s majestic Symphony No 3, “Rhenish”, and the world première of Hong Kong composer Hui Tak-cheung’s Remains, For Those remain, for which Hui explored archaeological sites across Hong Kong in order to translate historical data into orchestral soundscapes, weaving together memories of the past.
“The recital programme I am bringing to Hong Kong is a new one, and it’s a bit unusual. It is one of my conceptual programmes, which I enjoy creating. Most unexpectedly, it was inspired by fashion, by a particular garment from the great Belgian designer Dries van Noten. I’ve never worked in this way before, but it all came together in a very unexpected and very satisfying way. On the other hand, Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto, which I’m playing with the Sinfonietta, is one of the most well-known, iconic pieces in the repertoire. It’s an interesting case because it’s not quite a blockbuster. Rather, it’s one of the most subtle, elusive pieces written for piano and orchestra. It requires profound understanding between the conductor and the soloist, as well as absolute commitment from both, like no other piece I can think of. To do it very well—and this is the only thing I’m interested in for a piece I love so much—requires some magical ingredients that are very rare. But when Christoph Poppen asked me to suggest a piece to play with him, I didn’t have to think long,” he explains with passion.
Kolesnikov has the most vivid memories of his first visit to Hong Kong. “I couldn’t wait to come back. The concert hall is lovely, and so is the orchestra. Hong Kong is exciting, and the food is ridiculously delicious. Also, I’ve run out of my favourite tea! I don’t know its name, but I remember exactly where to buy it! These concerts come just before my birthday, and I plan to stay in the region for a few days afterwards to see a few things and celebrate,” he concludes with enthusiasm.
More details on the concerts can be found here:
HKS Recital Series: Pavel Kolesnikov Piano Recital
Great Piano Concertos: Pavel Kolesnikov Plays Beethoven
Enjoy Pavel Kolesnikov’s performance with Hong Kong Sinfonietta in 2023 here:
Bach Goldberg Variations, by Pavel Kolesnikov and HK Sinfonietta