
Mikhail Korzhev

Mikhail Korzhev, a pianist that “projects strength, atmosphere and the ability to tangle even the knottiest passages…” (International Record Review) is equally active as a solo recitalist, a performer with various chamber groups, a soloist with orchestras, and as a recording artist. His latest CD recording, the first volume of a new ambitious recording project - Complete Piano Concertos by Ernst Krenek in collaboration with English Symphony Orchestra and Kenneth Woods was released by Toccata Classics in 2016 to enthusiastic reviews in Gramophone, Diapason and other publications, made it to the “want list” of Fanfare magazine and became one of “100 Best Records of the Year” by The Times (London).
Korzhev collaborated with several distinguished conductors: Sergiu Commissiona, Carlo Ponti Jr. and others, his chamber music collaborations include performing with soloists of Russian National Orchestra, Mladi Chamber Orchestra, Lyris String Quartet, and members of St. Petersburg and Tokyo String Quartets among others. His collaborative work was highly appreciated by Eugenia Zukerman, Richard Stolzman, Oleh Krysa and other noted musicians. Korzhev’s performances received a high critical acclaim from American and European press: ”The young Russian pianist… displayed a notable technical mastery which allowed for passionate moments of ardent lyricism as well as wonderful purity and fluency…” (Momento Sera, Rome).”Korzhev belongs to that exclusive club of super musicians…he already performs like a keyboard legend…he is a major talent.” (Salt Lake Tribune).
His particular interest in contemporary music has lead Korzhev to participate in the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition in 2005, which had the emphasis on the music of Ernst Krenek. As a winner of that competition Korzhev gave a recital in the Vienna’s Konzerthaus about which the Wiener Zeitung wrote: “Korzhev obviously has a lot of affection for Krenek’s style… brings out well the dramatic qualities of his music…” Following the success of his Vienna debut Korzhev recorded a CD of Krenek’s piano music, released by Phoenix Edition/Naxos in 2008 that became an instant top seller and received several very enthusiastic reviews in the press.
Korzhev’s discography also includes two CD recordings featuring compositions for solo piano and chamber works by a prominent English composer Gerard Schurman and a compilation of 40 classical standards for the online music library Megatrax.com. He just completed recordings of Schurmann’s Piano Quartets and the second volume of Complete Piano Concertos by Krenek – both scheduled for release by Toccata Classics in 2017
Korzhev combines his performing career with teaching. He taught at University of Southern California and Chapman University. Currently he is on the faculty of California State University at Fullerton. Since 2008 Korzhev is the faculty member at Beverly Hills International Music Festival. In the summer of 2009 he taught a summer course at the Bosendorfer Piano Academy in Vienna, Austria.