The Russian pianist Alexandra Dovgan had already collected five competition victories by the age of thirteen, receiving her technical and musical training under Mira Marchenko at Moscow’s Central Music School.
Beyond prizes and accolades, Dovgan has also attracted the attention of Grigory Sokolov, who became an important artistic mentor and advocate. To celebrate Dovgan’s birthday on 1 July, let’s explore the artistic connection between the famously private Sokolov and one of the most compelling young pianists of her generation.
Alexandra Dovgan
Alexandra Dovgan performs Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Piano No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (excerpt)
El País Semanal features on Sokolov and Dovgan
Alexandra Dovgan
The most comprehensive and well-researched account of the connection between Grigory Sokolov and Alexandra Dovgan comes from the Spanish author and journalist Jesús Ruiz Mantilla. He regularly publishes interviews, reports, profiles, and music criticism.
Ruiz also has a literary career, having published eight novels, essays, plays, and poems. In a weekend feature for El País, a major Spanish newspaper, Ruiz traces the artistic transmission between generations of Russian pianism by focusing on the almost mythical Sokolov and the exceptionally mature young pianist Alexandra Dovgan. (Mantilla, “Grigori Sokolov y Alexandra Dovgan,” El Pais Semanal 2021)
Alexandra Dovgan performs Chopin’s Andante spianato and Grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22
First Encounter
Alexandra Dovgan and Grigory Sokolov
Apparently, Sokolov became aware of Dovgan when he was invited to look at a number of videos featuring new talents. While he typically listens to only a piece or two, in Dovgan’s case, he continued for nearly two hours.
Sokolov explained, “It’s not that I think the others were worse, but in her case, I discovered a link that connects her musical world with mine.” Sokolov wanted to meet her, and since then, they have exchanged ideas.
These meetings aren’t lessons, as Dovgan has her own teachers who train her exceptionally well, but according to Sokolov, it’s an “exchange between two colleagues.” Sokolov is a famously solitary man, devoted like a monk to his own constant refinement, so it is highly unusual for him to dedicate time to engage with other pianists.
Alexandra Dovgan performs Bach’s Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830
In Dialogue
Alexandra Dovgan at the piano
They first met in Amsterdam and barely exchanged a few words, but during their second meeting, they focused on understanding the instrument they would be playing. They discussed the age, the makers, and the materials of the piano, connecting the body and soul of the instrument to the expression of music.
They also considered the concept of tempo in compositions, and Dovgan recalled that “the maestro told her that she must be honest in every circumstance. Not only as a person and as a performer, but also that she must be very careful and faithful to the scores, and must thoroughly study the tempos.”
This, according to Sokolov, is where the magic of music lies and how he manages to hold the audience’s attention. “It’s about bringing music created in another time into this era and making it seem as if it’s being conceived in that very moment.”
Alexandra Dovgan performs Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 26, Op. 81a “Les Adieux”
Sokolov’s endorsement of Dovgan
Alexandra Dovgan
Sokolov also introduced Dovgan to his longtime manager and producer, Franco Panozzo. He played him a sound recording of Dovgan’s performance of the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1, and Panozzo reportedly concluded that it was performed by a great artist.
He then showed him the video of the 12-year-old Dovgan, and Panozzo was speechless and immediately signed her. Sokolov still refuses to grant interviews about himself, but he has nothing but praise for Dovgan.
“At 13, she can hardly be called a child prodigy, because while she is a prodigy, it’s not child’s play. What one hears when watching her is the performance of an adult. It is a special pleasure for me to commend the artistry of her remarkable music teacher, Mira Marchenko. However, there are some things that cannot be taught or learned. Alexandra Dovgan’s talent is exceptionally harmonious. Her playing is honest and focused. I predict a great future for her.”
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