Described by critics as “an exciting and compelling artist”, the Russian born Sergei Podobedov has been receiving rave reviews since he made his first orchestral debut at age twelve performing the Chopin Piano Concerto #2. This highly charismatic pianist has performed in major international music centers the world over. He has toured throughout the US, Europe, and Russia.  Mr. Podobedov’s latest CD release includes the premiere recording of the compete works of Boris Goltz, a brilliant pre-WWII era Russian composer who heretofore has been neglected, but whose works on the recording have prompted critics to say “How astonishing that music of this quality should remain unknown for so long.” “All [24 Preludes] are crystalline and perfect” ”… Goltz skillfully weaves one genre into another, and as genre itself is a kind of contract between the creator and listener, Goltz clearly wrote these highly evocative miniatures knowing that their clashes of content would evoke certain responses from his auditors”… “Impressive and particularly beautiful in its Russian soul.” The engaging music and the captivating manner in which Mr. Podobedov presents these pieces has resulted in the  CD “The Complete Works of Boris Goltz”  being hailed by critics and audiences alike. Previous recordings by Mr. Podobedov also include collaboration with pianists Martin Berkofsky and Atakan Sari on the CD “Alan Hovanhess:  Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra & Other Works.” Released on Sanctuary Records, this album has been hailed as “an unusual masterpiece.” In addition, he has released his electrifying, live performance, self-titled debut CD “Sergei Podobedov plays Haydn, Prokofiev, Schumann, and Lyadov.” Mr. Podobedov’s artistry and charisma have held audiences captive at many of the leading concert halls in the world including Wigmore Hall, San Francisco Herbst Theater, Moscow Tchaikovsky Hall, the Grand Hall of Moscow Conservatory and many others. Conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky wrote that he “knows Sergei Podobedov as a magnificent pianist who possesses outstanding virtuosic skills combined with true musicality and a refined sense of style.” Mr. Podobedov’s playing has been heard in numerous broadcasts on New York’s WQXR, ABC Classic FM, The WOSU stations, WQUB, WPRB, KCSC, KBCW Classical Radio, Contemporary Classical I-Radio, WNED-FM and others in the US and worldwide.

Mr. Podobedov has great interest in the art of improvisation. He believes that it is a central element to being an accomplished musician. Mr. Podobedov has performed improvisation and collaborated with artists such as Jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson and drummer/composer/arranger Royal Hartigan. He has also been involved in a number of contemporary jazz projects. Such projects have taken place in London’s Chelsea Arts Club, Paris’ Opus Café, and various venues in Europe, Russia and the United States. His latest jazz performance in Berkeley, California featured many of Mr. Podobedov’s original works, including “England”,”1942 Sketch”, and “Warm Blues.”

Mr. Podobedov’s love of music became apparent very early on when at the age of five he started to play the piano avidly and listen enthusiastically to recordings of the Great Russian Romantic pianists. Mr. Podobedov studied at the prestigious Moscow Central School of Music and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. In 1990 he was the first ever recipient of a Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Scholarship at the Royal College of Music and also became the youngest ever winner of the Edward Boyle Award in London. These accomplishments led to numerous engagements in the UK and across Europe.  In 1991 he performed and collaborated with the late Sir John Gielgud at Windsor Castle at the Queen Mother’s special invitation.

“I for one… left the concert with a new understanding of the pieces played and a sense that one had just witnessed a singular event. The usual descriptions: extremely powerful technique, clear phrasing, balanced voicing within the chords, infectious communication, etc — yes, they all apply here without question, but the really interesting point was the transcendence above these paltry descriptions achieved by a musician who is bristling with highly original ideas.”

-David Braid, Music & Vision Daily

“Goltz speaks with his own voice, and an impressive voice it is… How astonishing that music of this quality should remain unknown for so long… [Podobedov's] Chopin is beautifully proportioned, rubato is sensitively handled, and the four selections come up fresh and distinguished when compared with the scads of recording available… all will wish there were more from this outstanding pianist.”

- Alan Becker, American Record Guide

“The performances by the hugely gifted Russian pianist Sergei Podobedov are full of fire and conviction and are also wonderfully sensitive to the shifting moods of [Goltz's] wonderfully mercurial music. In short, they would seem to be everything that world premiere recordings need to be.”

-Jim Svejda, Classical KUSC Los Angeles

“I know Sergei Podobedov as a magnificent pianist who possesses outstanding virtuosic skills combined with true musicality and a refined sense of style.”

-Gennady Rozhdestvensky, conductor

“Mr. Podobedov rendered one of the most memorable piano performances in the history of the symphony here. This pianist’s comprehension of the musical substance which he is performing is extraordinary, thorough, and extensive; and he has all the technical capacity and musicianship to render his convictions with enormous success.”

-David Andre, conductor

“With maximum enthusiasm, I laud Sergei Podobedov’s exhilarating pianism. Possessor of a nonpareil technique…he communicates the iridescent colors of the classical and romantic literature with keen perception of stylistic nuances.”

-Robert Stevenson, composer, pianist, musicologist, contributor to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians

“Then, the Prokofiev: I do not remember to have it ever heard better, or even as well played.”

-Alexander Jenner, pianist - click here to read the complete letter

“Mr. Podobedov’s appearance with the Russian Chamber Orchestra last Sunday was an extraordinary event for our audience. His performance [of Shostakovich Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings] prompted remarks… about the beauty and dynamism and power of his artistry.”

-President, San Francisco Russian Chamber Orchestra Society

“He played the Prokofiev Piano Concerto with great power and musical drive…a very important musical career.”

-Raymond Harvey, conductor

“When I shook his hand and thanked him for his magnificent performances… I felt I was the closest I could get to thanking Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff for their beautiful compositions.”

-Email to Cristofori Foundation (producer of Mr. Podobedov’s CD)