Arcadi Volodos

Arkadi Arkadjevitsj Volodos (Russian: Аркáдий Аркáдьевич Володóсь) (Leningrad, 24 February 1972) is a Russian pianist. Volodos is known for his extremely high level of piano mastery of the instrument, and the highly virtuosic manner in which he brings the most complicated repertoire to the audience. In particular, his interpretations of works by Rachmaninoff, Liszt and his recordings of transcriptions by Vladimir Horowitz are praised.

Volodos began his music education with vocal studies, following the example of his parents, who were both singers. Later his attention shifted towards conducting when he studied at the Capilla M. Glinka School and the Conservatorium of Sint Petersburg. Although Volodos had been playing piano since the age of eight, he only began serious piano study at the conservatorium in his birthplace in 1987. His teacher there was Leonid Sintsev. He received his professional training at the Conservatorium of Moskou under Galina Egiazarova. Volodos also studied in Paris with Jacques Rouvier and in Madrid with Dimitri Bashkirow.

Despite the relatively short training period, Volodos quickly developed such a level that he could measure himself with the greatest musicians in the world.