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Kastelsky
has brilliant technique, vast sound palette and lively expression. Shortly
speaking our audience recognized an interesting artist in him and made a stormy
reception for him.
Le Suar (Belgium)
The pianist showed himself as an outstanding performer. Valerie Kostelsky has
the penetrating sensitivity, especially in the moments of pianissimo, as well as
excellent technique which really enchanted our audience.
Drapelul Roshu (Rumania)
Kastelsky's performance is bright and passionate; he is a strong individuality.
His Chopin is very dynamic.
Slovo Polske (Poland)
His artistic manner, wonderfully flexible, cultivates beauty and expressiveness
of the piano sound; it is always recognizable, whether he plays Beethoven,
Chopin, Rachmaninov or Schumann.
Music Life
Valeri Kastelsky (1941-2001) was born in Moscow. In 1947 - 1958 he studied at
the Gnessins Music school in the class of E Kantorovich. He graduated with
distinction in 1958 and became a student of Moscow State Conservatory; he
studied under professor Henry Neighaus. In 1963 he graduated from Conservatory
with excellent marks and entered the post graduate courses of MSC, from which he
graduated in 1966.
During his years of study at the Conservatory he participated in three
international piano
competitions, each time becoming a prize-winner (1960 - Chopin Competition in
Warsaw; 1963 - M.Long and J.Tibo in Paris; 1967 - Bavarian Radio Competition in
Munich).
Henry Neighaus wrote: "Valeri Kastelsky is one of my most interesting and
favorite pupils. He makes people listen to himself. There is something very
individual and unique in his talent. I believe that when his talent develops and
becomes really mature his performer's traits would reach such state of
perfection that they would attract only approval and appreciation".
The teacher was not mistaken. Pianist's talent, remarkable for its nobility and
spiritual charm, was developing. His performances became deeper and brighter; he
was always attracted by large scale forms in music.
Valeri Kastelsky toured extensively in Russia and abroad - in France, Germany,
Japan, Singapore, Belgium, Finland, Bulgaria, Romania, Cuba and other countries.
He participated in many music festivals, among them - "Russian Winter", "Moscow
Musical Autumn", "Moscow 1st International music festival", Chopin festival in
Dushniky (Poland). Kastelsky's repertoire was enormous; Romantic composers were
especially important.
He had recorded many discs with Melodia (Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin,
Brahms, Ravel, Khrennikov, Jolivet). He was awarded an important in Soviet Union
- Russia honorary title "People's Artist of Russian Federation".
Apart from his concert activities, Valeri Kastelsky was a professor at the
Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory (in the last years of his life - Dean of
the Piano Faculty). Among his pupils, there are a lot of fine musicians, famous
pianists and excellent pedagogues. Since 1992, he held the post of
Vice-president of Alexander Scriabin Foundation.
© Classical
Records
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