''Alexey Shor's works are highly nostalgic and emotional,'' Declares Denis Kozhukhin as InClassica 2025 returns to Dubai
- 29 Jan 2025
Gulf Network
Honouring the 55th birthday of acclaimed contemporary composer Alexey Shor, the 14th InClassica International Music Festival, hailed as one of the world’s leading classical music extravaganzas, will take place from the 6th to the 21st of April, 2025, bringing classical music's biggest stars to Dubai for a two-week celebration of musical excellence.
Among the illustrious performers for this year's event is celebrated Belgian pianist Denis Kozhukhin, who is returning to InClassica for its penultimate concert, presenting a solo recital on the stage of the sensational Dubai Opera. As one of the most renowned musicians of his generation, Kozhukhin, a pianist of exceptional technique and uninhibited sophistication, has gained international recognition through his emotional concerts.
Since winning the first prize in the 2010 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels at the age of 23, his repertoire includes performances alongside leading international orchestras, such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Symphony and Staatskapelle Berlin, as well as appearances at prominent music festivals, including Verbier, Gstaad, Grafenegg, Dresden and Intonations Festival.
Expressing his excitement about his latest performance at InClassica, Kozhukhin shared his thoughts on returning to the festival, saying ''I am very happy to be part of the InClassica Festival once again; it is a major musical event which does something very important - it brings classical music to people through wonderful concerts performed by top musicians of the world.
The last time I participated, I presented a concert to the audience where many members of the public attended a classical music concert for the first time. Afterwards, some people told me they would be willing to return to a concert hall again. I believe if even one person wants to come again after such an event, it's worth a lot, showing that InClassica is a real promoter of the beautiful world of music.''
''I will always support this festival as I strongly believe they are doing something extremely important,'' he continued. ''Music and arts unite people of different cultures, religions, and views, which is especially important in today's reality.''
Titled 'Denis Kozhukhin – Resplendent Recital', the maestro's concert will be held on Sunday, 20th April 2025, presenting a diverse programme focusing on childhood, featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s Music for Children, Op. 65, Alexey Shor’s Piano Sonata No. 2, Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Op. 15 and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Children’s Album, Op. 39.
''As a father, I perceive music for children or related to a child's life differently,'' he shared. ''The pieces I perform either speak of a child's day, their dreams, their losses or were actually written to be played by children themselves. The eyes of youth see the world in a very pure, unpolluted way, so I think it's not a coincidence that so many great composers have explored this theme.''
With this special edition of InClassica marking the 55th birthday of American-Ukranian composer Alexey Shor, Denis Kozhukhin declared his appreciation for the virtuoso's pieces, praising Shor’s compositions and distinct musical style. ''I've known Alexey Shor for several years and have had the pleasure of performing Alexey Shor’s pieces on multiple occasions.
I truly admire him, his creativity and his musical pieces. Alexey Shor’s works appeal to both musicians and the public as they are highly nostalgic and emotional, often focusing on a child's life and memories. I am also happy and proud that Pentatone will soon release his Second Piano Sonata with me at the piano. I look forward to playing more of Alexey Shor’s works.''
As he prepares for his exhilarating performance at InClassica, Kozhukhin explained his approach to connecting with new audiences and his hopes for the outcome. He stated, ''As I did during my performance at InClassica last time, I will speak about the pieces before I perform.
The audience needs to hear the artist's real voice explaining what he is about to present. It's important to create bridges between the musician and the audience, which is exactly what I always try to achieve in performances.''
For more information about the 2025 InClassica International Music Festival, visit the official website at inclassica.com.
