Volodymyr Vynnytsky
Pianist Selected Music Reviews
Selected Music Reviews
“Vynnytsky thrills at CSO Masterworks”
Friday was V-Day.The victory belonged to Volodymyr Vynnytsky, a remarkable - and local! - pianist. He played the very famous Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky sort of like Michael Jordan plays basketball or Lawrence Olivier delivers a Shakespearian monologue: He just does it, and it seems, well, not effortless exactly, but certainly not terribly effortful either.
Vynnytsky told me he…chose the piece for its popular appeal. At the conclusion of the exciting and bombastic "molto maestoso" first movement - when the audience jumped to its feet unable to restrain their applause - I could understand the choice.The slower, lyrical second movement highlighted Vynnytsky's equally astonishing ability to play with a shimmering, precise and light touch. But even the "andantino semplice" was designed for show; the glitter gave way to melodic sparks, then fireworks, before the movement ended with graceful phrasing, conducted with sensitivity by David Lockington.The third movement, marked "allegro con fuoco" (fast and fiery), was back to speed. Lockington and Vynnytsky took it at a particularly fast clip,…it sure was exciting. Vynnytsky's technique is impeccable - good posture, relaxed hands. No wonder he can play so brilliantly. The experience was a bit like listening to a child virtuoso who doesn't fully grasp the extent of his own talent. One looks for a few nerves in a pianist tackling the Tchaikovsky - all those stretched octaves, furious arpeggios up and down the keyboard, bold melodies that alternate between left and right hands - but Vynnytsky seemed to work his magic as if it were just one moment in a busy day.
Adam Parker,Post and Courier
Charleston, SC
The pianist is simply superb!
American Record Guide
“Vynnytsky serves musical feast”
“His technique oozes with passion, behind which is an integrity of devotion to the
composers, and bringing their music to life – flawlessly”
“Vynnytsky is indeed a remarkable, captivating talent. He seems to simultaneously play
and conduct it (music), as though he is both inside the keys and drawing every drop out
of the music, and outside, guiding the music to its full and fluid emergence”.
Peter Ingle,Charleston Today
Charleston SC
Yes, this Monday Night Concert was about music. Volodymyr Vynnytsky left us dazzled and on our feet…
Every drop of his inspiration, artistry, and pleasure gets handed to the audience in dramatic fashion…
The piano sang and danced alone with Volodymyr’s soulful virtuosity…
His composition: the enchanting “Lost Tango”…
Never before have I heard Chopin sound so much like a song bird…
Along with his delicate technique, though, Volodymyr adds power and huge sound to his playing – the best musical bravado…
Peter Ingle,Charleston Today
Charleston, SC
With Technique to Burn.
A chamber music stunner…
Khoma and Vynnytsky intuitively performed the cello sonata(Dmitri Shostakovich)—a monumental work, symphonic in proportions—with lyrical sections offset withangst-ridden,eerie, and despairing episodes.With instrumental technique to burn, this duo recreated the drama and typical sarcastic comments that Shostakovich interjected in his most serious works. Vynnytsky played the Yamaha grand piano with thundering chords and delicate patterns, demonstrating a skill with dynamics that few other pianists can achieve. His speed was phenomenal when called for, as were his lightening attacks… The audience gave the artists two standing ovations, one for the sonata and one for the trio. Khoma, Berlinsky, and Vynnytsky focused on this music as few others do.
William Furtwangler,Charleston Today
Vynnytsky’s interpretation roused the audience…
Loretta Haskell,Post and Courier
Charleston, SC
Vynnytsky was brilliant…
Lindsay Koob,Charleston City Paper
Charleston, SC
“Volodymyr Vynnytsky played with great sensitivity…Astonishing! A marvelous experience!”
Robert Boundurant,Charleston City Paper
Charleston, SC
“This is one of the most effective readings of this famous sonata. Outstanding…”
D. Moore,American Record Guide(CD “Sonatas by Beethoven and Rachmaninov”)
“Here is a program of cello music with the concept that works!
Altogether, this is satisfying programming with fine playing, clean technique combined with warmth of feeling.”
D. Moore,American Record Guide
(CD “Dances”)
Cellist Pianist solo soulmates. (Die Beeld)
”Without doubt Khoma and Vynnytsky are soloists in their own right, but their individual qualities are slightly set aside when they make music together: surely soulmates, firm and stylish in their approach to Beethoven, Chopin, Shostakovich and Cassado.”
”… global perception of the music… “
“…the balance was perfect…”
“More one cannot ask from this predominantly lyrical rendering.”
“Their performance of Vynnytsky's highly flamboyant exciting composition entitled Tango was a splendid conclusion for a performance of manifold musical planning. It was studied interpretations from which spontaneity shines as result of secure playing and expertise feel for the nature of ensemble playing.
Thys Odendaal,“Die Beeld”
Pretoria, South Africa
“TheKhoma-Vynnytskyduo epitomizes elegance of execution, virtuosic technique, a sense of internal drama, and the merging of two artists playing as one.”
DzerkaloTyzhnya(Kyiv), No. 39
“His playing was incisive and tonally very attractive ...”
DennisRonney,The Strad Magazine
London, UK
... he has the firepower of a great Slavic romantic pianist and the fluid lucidity of a French classic player, but in performance he is a contagious dream-tripper.
The Woodstock Times
New York, USA
...Vynnytsky made a sizable contribution to the witty, lyrical and humorous reading of the early Shostakovich classic, his Sonata in D minor, Op. 40 ...
NY Concert Review
New York, USA
... powerful playing...
The New York Times
New York, USA
In Poznan Vynnytsky performed the Tchaikovsky differently than other pianists – it was simply a new reading. Vynnytsky’s pianistic realm and culture of interpretation are of such imposing caliber that the new Tchaikovsky fascinated the audience and gained many enthusiasts.
Poznan Gazette
Poznan, Poland
Inspired, temperamental and brilliant playing of Vynnytsky pointed to the high level of his mastery and artistic accomplishment, fluent command of the various means of expression and a rich palette of sonorities. He manifested a true interpretational talent, refined understanding of musical style and the ability to transcend into a specifically envisioned and emotional world of various composers and periods.
Culture and Life, No.34
Kyiv, Ukraine
Volodymyr Vynnytsky is the poet – dreamer.
TheWoodstock Times
Vynnytsky’s piano is medium for composer’s message.
He executes Mozart(Sonata in B Flat Major) with the clarity of elf bells, in a state of attentive serenity as thought the music surely comes from somewhere else, possibly the composer. Similarly, he was Beethoven’s medium in the Sonata No.18 in E Flat Major releasing an earthy gaiety, revealing the Titan’s forceas an organic element. The fireof the Presto con fuoco seems to come from the piano – Vynnytsky just releases it. Zipper runs, lucid articulation that can dissolve to sheer liquid – these marvels of sound effect pass unnoticed as means of the rainbow, the apparent, otherworldly source of his musical illuminations.
Vynnytsky’s search of Yacymenko’s Sonata Fantastique … was a revelation of a beautiful cosmos that seemed uniquely compatible to some dreams of his own. Then passed thedream world of Chopin – equally his universe.
Kitty Montgomery,Daily Freeman
The phenomenon in concert is a rare one…
Mystically powerful pianist…
Daily Freeman
Harmonious talent, excellent mastery, independence of creative thought brought success to Vynnytsky in performance of difficult musical pieces, such as Mozart’s B major Sonata, Beethoven’s A Major Sonata Op. 101 and Chopin’s B Minor Sonata. His artistic personality is very romantic and exhibits an excellent taste.
Soviet Music
Moscow, Russia (USSR)
Volodymyr Vynnytsky is a very talented musician with outstanding virtuoso abilities and distinctive personality. Genuine artistry makes him one of the most outstanding representatives of the Ukrainian piano school.
Prof. Yevgeniy Malinin
Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Russia