Oleg Volkov

Oleg Volkov, who has won five international competitions throughout the world, now resides in the United States. He has recorded music for Music Corporation of America (MCA), Melodia (USSR), Fontec (Japan), and Brioso Recordings® USA. Mr. Volkov has six CDs on the Brioso label.

Oleg Volkov was born in the south of Russia in 1958. He began his musical studies at the age of seven, studying in Russian music schools, where he graduated with honors. His studies continued at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, entering in 1977, where he studied piano with Victor Merzhanov. After his graduation, with honors, in 1982, he continued his postgraduate studies with Merzhanov, earning a DMA in 1987 with an honors diploma. After his graduation, Volkov was appointed to the position of assistant professor to Merzhanov, where he continued to teach until his departure for the United States in December 1990.

Since settling in the U.S, Mr. Volkov has gained critical and popular acclaim as a concert artist. He has appeared in concerts in major cities throughout the United States, both as a
solo artist and playing concertos with principal orchestras. Volkov has also presented concerts in his native Russia, as well as in Spain, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Chile and Japan.. In the concert world, both here in the U.S. and abroad, Mr. Volkov enjoys the reputation of a premiere concert artist.

"Throughout this recording (BR105) Oleg Volkov displays his usual deft pianistic and technical skills. He makes about the best case imaginable for the lesser pieces and is an excellent interpreter of the highly individual Scriabin preludes and sonata, capturing the mystical and intense nature of the latter piece with keen insight."
Classical Net, CD Reviews

"The Rachmaninov transcriptions (BR106) are full of color and sparkle, full of subtle shadings and impressive virtuosity. Ditto for the Liszt Gnomenreigen. And his Scriabin, as on the other disc, is compellingly rendered."
Classical Net, CD Reviews

"...this is one of the best recordings (BR109) of this (Shostakovich) concerto on the market" Fanfare, May/June 1996

"Mr. Volkov is one of the most promising... pianists."
NetRadio with Bill Parker - Spotlight CD of the Week, May 25-31,1997

"Volkov's reading is a truly outstanding, revelatory one..."
Classical Net, CD Reviews

"Volkov offers a refreshingly modern journey (BR111) through the marvelous variations...Add this version to your collection"
Best Classical CD Buys, The CD Scout, Web Edition

"Put simply, you're not likely to hear playing with this kind of individual approach in the concert hall or on recordings."
Classical Net, CD Revews

"What is most noticeable about Volkov here (BR114) is his consummate artistry from first note to last. There is not a measure that passes beneath his fingers without thought or without feeling...Volkov, one might daringly observe, approaches rtistic perfection in this performance. In sum, this is one of the finest Rachmaninov Seconds I’ve ever heard."
Classical Net, CD Reviews

“The first pressing of this disc, with Oleg Volkov as soloist and Andrei Tchistiakov conducting the Moscow Philharmonic, sold out completely in three weeks. The performances-fiery, brilliant and deeply poetic deserve this success, and a new pressing is now available. Also available and equally impressive is Volkov's new Beethoven disc ( BR 115), containing Sonatas No. 3 and 16 and shorter works."
The Washington Post