by Shannon Smith
YANA, the musical persona of Joanna Bieńkowska, emerges as one of Poland’s most intriguing neo classical artists with her second album, Daydreamer. Building on her background as an instrumentalist and composer trained at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, YANA draws from a rich palette of classical instruments—piano, strings, and electronics—to create works that resonate with emotional depth and cinematic grandeur. Daydreamer presents a larger ensemble than her debut album, Solace, where minimalist piano pieces were interwoven with electronic textures and meditative dialogues. In Daydreamer, YANA explores a journey of the human [...]
by Steven Miller
Alexandra Dariescu, a Romanian pianist renowned for her technical skill and innovative programming, has released an album featuring the piano concertos of Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg. Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg Piano Concertos, released under the Signum label, present a fresh take on these classical masterpieces, offering a blend of youthful exuberance and deep emotional resonance that mirrors Dariescu’s artistic journey.
Dariescu’s choice to feature Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto is particularly compelling. Composed when Schumann was still a teenager, [...]
Maya Beiser X Terry Riley: In C features soloist Maya Beiser on cello and vocals, with Shane Shanahan and Matt Kilmer on drums. It was released by Islandia Music Records under catalog number 014. This album marks a unique reinterpretation of Terry Riley’s minimalist masterpiece, “In C,” through the lens of celebrated cellist Maya Beiser. The work is an ambitious blend of classical music traditions and modern experimental techniques.
Beiser has been profoundly influenced by her multicultural upbringing in the Galilee Mountains, her classical training, and her collaborations with iconic composers like Steve [...]
Val Giamo’s latest album, Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes, released in December 2023, is a musical journey filled with her ability to weave intricate stories through the emotive sounds of solo piano and, piano and cello. Living in Gothenburg, Sweden, Giamo has honed her craft over the years, drawing from a rich array of influences and experiences. From her classical education in Russia to her explorations in various music genres, her work culminates in this album—a narrative journey shared with cellist Axel Vilborg, who joins her for two selections.
The album opens with “Let Us Find A Place,” immediately [...]
