“wonderfully mercurial…Volodin’s fluent and apparently effortless pianism, matched by the alert accompaniment from Gergiev and his superb orchestra, make a most convincing case for this unjustly neglected work.”

“Volodin is the kind of pianist that could only be grown in Russia: a virtuoso who loves to show his muscle, but plays full of passion in the slow passages. And he’s a pianist who knows what the word cantabile means with Rachmaninov: echoing the solemn singing of Orthodox Church music.”

“To hear him slowly open the valves of Chopin’s poetry, aerate Schubert’s lyricism and launch Schumann’s fantasies makes you aware of his layered artistry… Everything in this programme was thoroughly considered, but such is the intelligence of his approach his audience rapport never sounded calculated…his transformation of Schubert’s intricate decorative passages that acquire a life of their own was masterly. Just as admirable was the control and tact with which he discerned the difference between the up-front and explicit Schubert and music much more shadowy and recessive… The Third of the set, the ​‘Rosamunde’ variations in B flat, confirmed Volodin’s affinity for Schubert in playing of formidable perception, expressive tonal range and superb delicacy.”