Interviews & Podcasts
Meet the artist, 2017
Reviews
CONCERTS
It was too late: an already transfixed audience delivered their verdict with a standing ovation — James Latt, International Piano Magazine
This was a first rate recital from a pianist who has not featured nearly enough on our concert platforms — Robert Beattie, Seen and Heard
Alexander Karpeyev held his Kings Place audience spellbound with that quintessentially Russian thing of awesome technique in demure, unflustered, almost offhand packaging … It was in epic scores by Medtner (the Sonata-Ballade) and Stravinsky (movements from Petrouchka) that Karpeyev really triumphed, playing them with virtuosity and more: the deep, internalised musicianship of a master— Michael White, Catholic Herald
This was a very accomplished and rewarding recital — Mark Ainley, Vancouver Classical Music
A truly brilliant recital. … Karpeyev delivered both power and delicate subtleties of dynamics and pace throughout his taxing programme. What style, what stamina! — Andrew Connal, Latest 7
Brahms Second Piano concerto played with a rare blend of aristocratic authority and inward expression — Mike Allen, Portsmouth Today
Performance full of insight and genuine interpretative affection. A remarkable and very well worthwhile programme all round — Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion
Karpeyev’s artistic maturity was palpable, and it shone through every bar of his closing item – a commanding performance of Liszt’s B minor Sonata — The Birmingham Post
RECORDINGS
A parallel with Rachmaninov that does stand is the frequently fiendish piano-writing and Medtner scholar and enthusiast Alexander Karpeyev is equal to task, with some wonderfully tempestuous playing in works such as ‘Arion’ or the virtuoso piano part of ‘Elegy’, regarded as one of Medtner’s finest songs — Mark Pullinger, Gramophone
Karpeyev is en pointe […] taking what is a dizzyingly agile part in his stride’ — Michael Beek, BBC Music magazine ⭐⭐⭐⭐
…rendition of the ‘Epica’ is razor-sharp in execution, flexibly phrased with a variety of dynamics and colours, and brimming with commitment. Karpeyev is also impressive in the … Sonate-Idylle — Ken Meltzer, Fanfare Magazine
…this is attractive and communicative playing. Karpeyev has the technique for Medtner’s demanding writing. … He … displays a good ear for color —Henry Fogel, Fanfare Magazine
Karpeyev makes the whole movement sparkle with joie de vivre and a playfulness which belies the virtuosic demands. [He …] responds brilliantly to the kaleidoscopic mood swings but also perceives how they form an absolutely coherent whole — Claire Seymour, Opera Today
Here’s a charmer […] Karpeyev is a major artist in what is clearly a labour of love — Phillip Scott, Limelight Magazine
Both [Parry’s Prelude and Thomson’s Nineteen Portraits] show Karpeyev to be deft at switching idioms and good at immediately establishing a specific atmosphere. … [Arnold’s Variations’] mercurial mood switches again draw sharp responses from Karpeyev , veering from light-spun filigree to muscle-flexing virtuosity. … a recital which is eminently worth investigating — Terry Blain, BBC Music Magazine ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an extremely impressive debut recording. The playing of the Medtner sonata compares well with the very best recordings in the catalogue, including those by Hamelin, Tozer and Milne — Robert Beattie, MusicWeb International
Good to have [Medtner’s] Sonata-Ballade […] in a performance rivalling that of Hamelin’s. Karpeyev’s grasp of the structure of the piece is remarkable, enabling a real sense of flow and beauty — Colin Clarke, International Piano
