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Pianist Vestard Shimkus, born in Latvia in 1984, has gained international recognition after debut performances with the BBC PHilharmonic Orchestra, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Kremerata Balitca, NDR Symphony Orchestra Hamburn, the Symphony Orchestras fo Barcelona, Bilbao and Temerife at venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus, Konserthaus Berlin, Philharmonie Essen, Tokyo Opera City, Salle Olivier Messiaen in Paris, Konserthuset in Stockholm, Moscow Conservatory, the Prague Rudolfinum, Palau de la Musica (Barcelona), Sala Verdi (Milano), the Oriental Art Centre in Shanghai, and Amsterdam Concedrgebouw among others. Shimkus was awarded 1st prize at international piano competitions such as the 55th Maria Canals Internationa Piano Competition in Barcelona, Spain in 2009 and at the 5th Bad Kissingen Klavier Olympiade in 2007
On his first recording for ARS Produktion, Vestard Shimkus spans a wide perid when he couples Ludwig van Beethovens’ third piano sonatat from Opus 2 with Hammerklavier Sonata Opus 106. A span leading straight form the tempestuous young pianist to the old, almost deaf composer - a span which connects together the storms of youth and the last hurrahs of old age. And in so doing reveals what actually sprang from a musical talent’s bold hopes
“Vestard Shimkus is a phenomenon! He has his own personality, selfconfidenc and technical brilliance. Some people may talk about the end of hte age of the classical music but when you hear a Shimkus performance, you can be sure that classical music is quite well.” (Paavo Jarvi)
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