Behzod Abduraimov

“Abduraimov’s artistry conferred its own magic, with each phrase exquisitely shaped… With Yan Pascal Tortelier and the London Philharmonic keeping well-judged pace, he took the concluding Tarantella [of Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2] at hurtling speed, covering the keyboard – and encompassing the divided trills and the scampering staccato octaves – with seemingly effortless grace.” (The Independent, October 2010)

“The 18-year-old Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov powered his way through last year's London International Piano Competition as though plugged into some mystical mains. His delivery of Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto was electrifyingly physical, combining liberated exuberance with astonishing technical control. This Wigmore recital was one of the spoils of victory, and much was riding on it.

Opening with Chopin's 24 Preludes, he demonstrated from the start a rare capacity to characterise these variegated tone-poems, each of which is a world in itself. His sound was big and firm, but wonderfully yielding when the occasion demanded; each piece was fastidiously shaped, segueing without pause into the next...Everything reflected crystal-clear intention, everything felt fresh.

Next came a piece which most pianists won't risk their necks with: Vladimir Horowitz's pyrotechnical embellishments on Liszt's elaboration of Saint-Saens's satanic 'Danse macabre'. Yet the way Abduraimov hurled these fistfuls of notes around, he might have been taking a stroll in the park. And a thought arose: could this fresh-faced child be a new Horowitz?

Finally he let rip with a stunning performance of Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No 6, and we were reminded why he won that competition: with the music of this fundamentally heartless composer, he convinces his audience through sheer artistry.” (The Independent, May 2010)

“…young Abduraimov’s playing was so unbelievably magnificent that it left me speechless” (musicweb-international.com, March 2010)

“the highly gifted Tashkent born 20 year old pianist Behzod Abduraimov… dazzled the audience with what, I feel, was an exceptional performance” (www.bucksfreepress.co.uk, March 2010)