Alexei Sultanov

Alexei was a Russian young man that won the Tschaikowsky International Piano Competition - which is an extremely prestigious competition - at the age of 19 - the youngest competitor that year. Twelve years later, he suffered multiple strokes, leaving his left side paralyzed, in a wheelchair, and unable to speak - and, unable to play with his left hand. He was able to play a few notes with his right hand. His wife, one year later, tried waking him one morning, but he wasn't breathing and at the age of 35 passed away. I remember seeing him win the Tschaikowsky Competition - his passion and fire in his music, I could relate to wholeheartedly, and it was quite evident, he loved what he was doing, and his music. There are several recordings available of Alexei's playing and some videos on YouTube. I would recommend anyone interested in piano, to check them out.

Wow I never knew that tyvm for the information

Yw, it's absolutely tragic, had his entire life ahead of him, but accomplished much in his short 35 years.

On August 7, Alexei would have turned 40, here's a link to a YouTube video honoring what would have been his 40th birthday.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3CD2SJt9YE

Alexei performing Rachmaninov's Etude tableaux, Op. 39, No. 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCE7u_lwDWo