Thank you so much for posting this. I adore Sokolov's playing, but as a listener am often frustrated by his apparent distaste (or impatience) with the recording studio, which means one must rely on the kindness of strangers with recording equipment in their laps (!) to get a true measure of his artistry. So thank you again for that, and for the terrific essay as well.
He's probably the only pianist whose playing **sounds** erudite in the best sense of the word. Other great pianists are poetic dreamers, refined colorists, charming raconteurs, fascinating eccentrics, and so on, but with Sokolov, an experienced listener can't help but speak in metaphysical terms, so it heartens me to read your perceptive description of his playing.
Sokolov the king of imagination, you're right ! But as a listener, I sit on a wild horse and have to master my imagination and concentrate on few memories of these times, to be able to grasp this other world (my english doesn't improve)
