Alexander Ghindin

The Evelyn Miller Young Pianist Series exists for one reason: to showcase exceptional young pianists who are either at the beginning of their career or in the midst of establishing themselves on the national or international scene. The YPS begins this year’s series of three recitals with a brilliant Moscow-born pianist who should already be known to Knoxville audiences.
Alexander Ghindin amazed a Knoxville Symphony Orchestra audience last May with his performance in Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1. In my review of that concert, I remarked: “I was totally unprepared for Ghindin’s combination of power and accuracy. At first I was stunned by his ability to produce such volume without distortion. That gave way to the suspicion that volume and artful delicacy could not co-exist or be maintained, yet the combination lasted beautifully.... I’m sure I’m not alone, though, in hoping Ghindin makes a return visit with works that show another side of this obviously amazing and talented pianist.”
I got my wish. Ghindin’s program will include a first half devoted to Chopin, including the Polonaise No. 2 in E-flat minor, the Fantasie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, and the Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise. The second half of the recital will be devoted to a number of works by Russian composers, Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Among the Scriabin works are 2 Poèmes, Op. 32 and 69, and his Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp Major. The Rachmaninoff works will include a number of Preludes, including the Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5. (Alan Sherrod)