Brahms: Variations On A Theme By Paganini | Schumann: Études Symphoniques – Sophia Agranovich – Concert Pianist, Recording Artist, Educator

Brahms: Variations On A Theme By Paganini | Schumann: Études Symphoniques

Label: Centaur Records | Catalog: 3367

Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 35, Books I and II

Robert Schumann: Études Symphoniques, Op. 13

Robert Schumann – Franz Liszt: Liebeslied “Widmung” (“Dedication”)

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Reviews

“The magnificent shading and superior musicianship Alan Becker notes in a review of Agranovich’s recording of Beethoven and Chopin (Iuly/Aug 2014) is in full force here. Her boldness is evident from a rich, full-bodied Paganini Variations, where sensitive phrasing and surprising voicing in the slow variations effectively delineate dramatic contrasts and keep this from being a run of the mill reiteration of the score. Her ability to draw rich textures is also apparent in the Symphonic Etudes…Ambitious and breath-taking performance.”

– Sang Woo Kang, American Record Guide

“Sophia Agranovich is a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics… The impression is of a pianist swept away in the moment of performing.”

“Agranovich’s presentation of Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes is a case study in technical mastery, musical depth, and meticulous attention to detail… Agranovich combines the spaciousness of Richter and the propulsion of Gieseking to convey both tragedy and drive.”

– Myron Silberstein, Fanfare Read full review

“The highly accomplished Ukrainian-born pianist Sophia Agranovich gives exciting readings of two virtuoso works by Brahms and Schumann, but what gives them special interest is that she has taken the step (or leap) into interpretative freedom… She has the patience and temperament to give each of the 28 variations its own mood, and she also establishes a satisfying arc from beginning to end…. The Steinway she plays is magnificent sounding and was recorded with depth and realism, a decided plus… The result is a bold interpretation where every phrase is emphatically personal.”

– Huntley Dent, Fanfare Read full review

“It’s not often that one encounters, in this day and age, an artist who not only has a dazzling technique, …but, better yet, an independent and individual way of thinking about music… Agranovich has a way of expressing herself through this music in a way that almost precludes comparisons.”

– Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare Read full review

” But there’s more to Agranovich’s performance than its technical spit and polish. At least as well as, and perhaps even better than the others, she is able to channel some of the intense concentration and control required just to play the notes into musical characterizations of the individual variations…”

– Jerry Dubins, Fanfare Read full review

Liner Notes by Sophia Agranovich