Vladimir Ashkenazy

The Profile

Vladimir Ashkenazy is a Russian-Icelandic pianist and conductor, celebrated for a vast Decca discography and acclaimed interpretations of core classical repertoire. He shared first prize at the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition and has enjoyed a dual career on stage and podium.

Renowned classical pianist and conductor with extensive Decca recordings; joint first prize at the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition; noted for Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Beethoven and other cornerstone repertoire.

A single, glowing review praises Vladimir Ashkenazy’s Decca recording of Scriabin’s complete Piano Sonatas for its psychological depth. The piece sketches Scriabin’s mystical aesthetics and the evolution from early Chopin echoes to expressionist late sonatas. It highlights the Sixth as terrifying, the Seventh as “White Mass,” the Ninth as “Black Mass,” and the Tenth as the “Insect Sonata.” Ashkenazy’s interpretation is recommended without reservation.