Pianists Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy return to the Festival International Bach Montréal two seasons after their previous sold-out appearance at Bourgie Hall. Their reunion comes on the heels of growing international recognition, including performances at Carnegie Hall and enthusiastic coverage in the New York Times and The Guardian.
The programme places preludes and fugues by J.S. Bach in direct dialogue with those of Dmitri Shostakovich, performed in alternation rather than side by side. The pairing is not decorative: it reveals how thoroughly Shostakovich absorbed Bach's contrapuntal language, while casting Bach's own works in a new, almost prophetic light.
The two pianists each bring their own interpretive voice to the material, creating what The Guardian described as an "electrifying intimacy." The selection of works is new for this edition, deepening the conversation established in their celebrated first programme.
Tickets are available through the Festival Bach Montréal ticketing platform.
Lineup
Pavel Kolesnikov
Pavel Kolesnikov is a pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and received glowing reviews from major publications including the New York Times and The Guardian. He is celebrated for his duo work with Samson Tsoy, praised for its electrifying intimacy.
Samson Tsoy
Samson Tsoy is a pianist who has performed alongside Pavel Kolesnikov at Carnegie Hall and at the Festival International Bach Montréal, earning acclaim from the New York Times and The Guardian for their duo performances.
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