Reviews
JANINA FIALKOWSKA, piano
“Indeed, lesser mortals may well weep with envy at such unfaltering authority. She has done her one time mentor, Arthur Rubinstein, proud.”
—Bryce Morrison, Gramophone, August 2010“. . . Fialkowska presents herself above all as a master of communication.”
—Frank Siebert, FonoForm (Germany), February 2011“Her playing is notable for its balance, its sense of proportion and naturalness. . . . Like Chopin himself she never forces the sound. Her tonal palette is rich, and highly varied, but she never indulges it for its own sake. On the whole, these splendid, earthy, vital performances make for rewarding listening.”
—Jeremy Siepmann, BBC Music Magazine, February 2011“. . . she displays a formidable mastery, taking Chopin’s early poetic ardour firmly in hand. . . . performances of an arresting brilliance . . . Her technique is awe-inspiring and engulfing . . .”
—Bryce Morrison, Gramophone, February 2011“. . . her return to the concert platform is so gratifying as to make her seem like a brilliant newcomer.”
—David Patrick Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct 3, 2010“These recordings plain and without frills are a true sensation and should convince, if not overwhelm, the last skeptic of the human magic of her playing due to the outstanding musicality, the incredible pianistic profile and the unique charm of this exceptional pianist.”
—Attila Csampai, Steroplay (Germany), August 2010“We have had many celebrated executants in London in this Chopin anniversary year – Zimerman, Pollini and Yundi Li among them – but none has taken my breath away quite like Fialkowska. If you have the chance to hear her, cancel all other appointments.”
—Barry Millington, The Evening Standard (London), May 28th, 2010“. . . Fialkowska was always one of those "best-kept secret" pianists, loved by connoisseurs for her tonal refinement and exquisite musical taste, but her ordeal seems to have released a new lease of life in her music-making . . . the playing is sheer bliss. If you buy one Chopin selection this year, make it Fialkowska's.”
—Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times (London), May 16th, 2010“It was not until I heard her play live, however, that I realized quite how extraordinary she is.”
—Guy Dammann, The Guardian (London), May 28th, 2010“. . . she's back now and more characterful than ever . . . wrap your ears around the real thing . . . this is high-class Chopin playing, deeply felt and demonstrably authentic . . . her technique is fearless . . . her warm and intimate tone, so unlike the bangers and crashers of the competition circuit”
—Norman Lebrecht, The Lebrecht Report, December 16th, 2009 ”. . . an unusual testimony of the Art of perfect pianism.”
—Joachim Kaiser, Sueddeutsche Zeitung (Munich), January 14th, 2010 “Fialkowska plays Chopin with a warmth, poetry, and detail of phrasing that is disappointingly rare today; she places her gifts at the composer's feet”
—Russell Platt, The New Yorker, December 14, 2009 “Fialkowska has become an artist of rare distinction as well as retaining all the virtuosity of her youth.”
—La Presse, Montreal, February 13, 2009 “. . . her signature sound: warm, singing, natural”
—The National Post “. . . a firebrand of the keyboard and the temperament to handle just about anything . . .”
—The Pittsburgh Press “Fialkowska is formidable . . . performs with a clarity that sets her apart from the ordinary superstars”
—The Toronto Star “This was Chopin at its best”
—Munich Abendzeitung “Miss Fialkowska upheld the extreme sophistication of the solo part. Her Chopin is both generous and refined. The bravura playing is absolutely firm. The unadorned playing solo lines sing beautifully.”
—The New York Times “Every aspect of Fialkowska's artistry is astounding”
—American Record Guide “Fialkowska conquered all”
—Los Angeles Times “Stupendous…irresistibly virtuosic…enormous applause. The audience was transported. Amazed, we experienced what Chopin demands, how his difficult, rich and mysterious art still has such an impact”
—Joachim Kaiser“No one plays a more refined Chopin these days”
—Jürgen Holwein, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Dec 11 2010Press Quotes
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