Description
With his debut solo album, Russian pianist Ilya Shmukler showcases artistic maturity, technical brilliance, and interpretive depth.
Winner of the 2024 Concours Geza Anda, he presents five landmark works spanning 150 years--from Beethoven's classical drama to Stravinsky's rhythmic vibrancy. The album opens with Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 2 No. 1, rendered with energy and refined lyricism. Schubert's Sonata No. 13 follows, performed with sensitivity and expressive nuance. Liszt's "Funerailles" brings emotional intensity and technical mastery, contrasting with Bartok's Suite
Op. 14, where Shmukler emphasizes rhythmic precision and dynamic tone colors.
The recording concludes with Stravinsky's "La Semaine Grasse," a virtuosic display of rhythmic finesse and vibrant sonorities. This album confirms Shmukler as a profound musical storyteller and technically outstanding pianist. The Geza Anda Foundation, honoring the Hungarian-Swiss pianist, awarded Shmukler the 2024 first prize along with multiple distinctions, including the Audience Award.
