Olga Pashchenko - Dussek, Beethoven & Mendelssohn: Transitions (2013) [Official Digital Download]

This first album of the Russian pianist, harpsichordist and organist Olga Pashchenko – student of Alexei Lubimov and Richard Egarr; prize winner of several international music competitions (‘Schloss Kremsegg’ for fortepiano in 2011; ‘Hans von Bulow' for piano in 2012…) depicts the rebellious and yet very tender metamorphosis between two ‘states’ of art – Classical and Romantic. Dussek, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn stand at the crossroads of the two styles; demonstrating how the transformation to Romanticism was subtle and hidden in the smallest details of the well-composed, transparent architecture of the music of the Classical period.

The two original instruments (Conrad Graf 1826 & Donat Schoeffstoss 1812) chosen with care by Olga Pashchenko are in possession of a great clarity of sound, and uncover immense timbral possibilities, allowing one to play with the rhetoric as much as with the colours.

Tracklist:
1. Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Elégie harmonique sur la mort de son Altesse Royale le Prince Louis Ferdinand de Prusse, Op. 61: I. Lento patetico - Tempo agitato 11:14
2. Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Elégie harmonique sur la mort de son Altesse Royale le Prince Louis Ferdinand de Prusse, Op. 61: II. Tempo vivace e con fuoco quasi presto 05:32
3. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: I. Andante grazioso, quasi allegretto in E-Flat Major 03:55
4. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: II. Scherzo (Allegro) in C Major 03:15
5. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: III. Allegretto in F Major 02:03
6. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: IV. Andante in A Major 03:37
7. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: V. Allegro ma non troppo in C Major 03:39
8. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: VI. Allegretto quasi andante in D Major 03:20
9. Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33: VII. Presto in A-Flat Major 02:05
10. Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111: I. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato 09:42
11. Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111: II. Arietta: adagio molto, semplice e cantabile 16:48
12. Variations sérieuses in D Minor, Op. 54 11:48

Composers:
Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827)
Dussek, Jan Ladislav (1760-1812)
Mendelssohn, Felix (1809-47)

Personnel:
Olga Pashchenko, fortepiano

Recording: 1-3 August 2011, Schloss Kremsegg (Kremsmünster, Austria)
Recording engineer, artistic direction, editing, mastering: Herwig Preiss (Studio Weinberg, 4292, Kefermarkt, Austria)

Olga Pashchenko plays two original Viennese instruments, owned by ‘Schloss Kremsegg – Haus der Kultur’ (Austria).
Tracks 01-09: fortepiano by Donat Schöfftos (1812)
Tracks 10-12: fortepiano by Conrad Graff (1826)