The Russian pianist Denis Matsuev has already shown his dazzling virtuosity on record in works by Shostakovich, Shchedrin, Rachmaninov and others. On this new generously filled (78'32”) SACD from the Mariinsky label he performs both of Tchaikovsky's completed Piano Concertos accompanied by Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra.As one might expect Denis Matsuev's high octane performance of the first Concerto is big and bold yet it is surprisingly sensitive, as his spacious and unhurried account of first movement demonstrates. ...

May, 2, is Valery Gergiev’s birthday. Denis Matsuev performed together with the maestro at this special occasion – which has become a tradition already. The concert took place at the stage of the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire in terms of the Easter festival, an event inspired by Valery Gergiev. Follow this link to watch the video by the “Russia 24” channel, and the video is available on the “Culture” TV channel web site. ...

The review by Callum McDonald says:Denis Matsuev might be better known internationally as a Rachmaninov expert, but these new accounts of the two Shostakovich concertos must be among the best currently available. He is brilliant and mercurial in the fast movements of both works, creatively negotiating the First’s many changes of direction, tempo and style and bringing a sense of élan to the Second’s outer movements. He also gives the Second’s Rachmaninov-like central Andante due expressive weight and romantic feeling. ...

March, 5, Denis Matsuev and the London Symphony Orchestra headed by Valery Gergiev will give the final concert of the triumphal Asian tour. During the tour that embraced Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai Denis Matsuev, one of the best Russian pianists, played Sergei Prokofiev, one of the most often performed Russian composers.The concert in South Korea was especially meaningful because the London Symphony Orchestra visited the city for the first time in 6 years. The press noticed that Denis “enthralled the audience with a rendition of Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3”. ...

February, 6, a new CD was released on “Mariinsky” label: soloist Denis Matsuev  and the Mariinsky orchestra headed by Valery Gergiev perform Shostakovich, Piano Concertos No. 1 & 2 and Shchedrin. Piano Concerto No. 5. After listening to the CD, the critics called it “one of the most impressive advances in recent years”.The British site SA-CD.net wrote: “Denis Matsuev's account of the Piano Concerto No. ...

The 10th Easter festival headed by Valery Gergiev turned into a marathon for the musicians: 18 cities, 4 borders, 2 concerts a day. The spectators perceive the festival as a festive occasion but very few of them think about what a distance have the participants covered, how long have they slept, how their instruments were transported. In the documentary “Symphony accompanied by the rumble of wheels” you can watch the festival from Valery Gergiev’s, Denis Matsuev’s and the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra’s point of view. ...

Wynne Delacoma, "Chicago Classical Review" ...