My favorite virtuoso is Maestro Sokolov. His website season schedule has him only performing in Europe ala maestro Sviatoslav Richter. Does he play every three or four years or something in the USA?

Sokolov used to play regularly in the UK, but because of visa problems he hasn't appeared here for some years. Maybe he also has visa problems with getting to USA.

I'm curious about this also.

Over the last 4 years i ve seen Kissin, Perahia, Ñeonskaja, Volodos, Blechacz, Zimerman, Josep Colom (what a Liszt Sonata he played!), Zacharias, Aimard, Andsnes, Barenboim and so on.

Sokolov i ve seen twice and i have to say he stands in a class of his own. If you have a chance, do not miss him.

I think it might be more accurate to say "he has problems with the visa process" rather than "he has visa problems". The way I heard it, it isn't that he can't get a visa, it's that he refuses to jump through the bureaucratic hoops over and over again to get into the country to play.

On e his 2013 schedule is announced for next summer my wife and I will go to the venue city for a week. His playing as you have said is not equaled by anyone in recent memory. It's a shame he will not endure the difficulties. But I asure you that when I meet him in the green room I will personally volunteer to fill out the paperwork and pay the applicable fees for his visa. All this for any recital in a USA concert hall.