International Piano - May 2023

Our May issue cover features the Russian pianist Zlata Chochieva, who is now based in Berlin. She discusses her new album, with mixed repertoire centred on Schumann and Ravel, with International Piano’s Editor Tim Parry, and also offers fascinating details of her studies in Moscow with Mikhail Pletnev.

Other major features see Jeremy Nicholas talk to Daniel Grimwood about the neglected composer Adolph von Henselt, and Jed Distler offer a survey of the history on record of Ligeti’s Études, the most significant post-Debussy masterpieces in the form.

In addition, Bryce Morrison’s series on ‘Polarising Pianists’ focuses on the legacy of Moriz Rosenthal, whose interventionist virtuosity can both thrill and dismay. Our One to Watch this month is the Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko, who has made a strong impression since winning the Honens Competition last year. Murray McLachlan continues his series of guides for those returning to playing the piano, and in addition sheds interesting light on recording the complete piano sonatas by Geoffrey Allen. Piano duo Tessa Uys and Ben Schoeman talk about their recordings of Scharwenka’s Beethoven transcriptions, while Chiyan Wong reflects on recording jazz-influenced music by Ravel and Tsfasman with the LSO.

Last, but not least, our reviews coverage extends from new piano recordings, from Martha Argerich, Yevgeny Sudbin, Boris Giltburg and many others, to live concerts in London and Lucerne.