LA LIBERTE, 20 JANUARY 2003

by PhMR

Imperial Technique and Generous Heart

Irina Chkourindina, a Young Russian Pianist, captivated the Phoenix last Friday Evening.

The young Russian pianist Irina Chkourindina played at the Phoenix on Friday evening and much to the delight of the music lovers in attendance displayed an imperial technique and a generous heart in such grand works as Liszt’s Sonata in B-Minor. The region’s numerous pianists no doubt appreciated this high-level recital. Above all, the pianist demonstrated an accomplished solidity in her execution. There was no showing off or unnecessary mannerisms, but rather a flawless technique straight out of the “Russian school”, something one could call “an iron hand in a velvet glove”. Irina Chkourindina took possession of the Phoenix’s piano and exacted power and nuances which the instrument had hitherto kept hidden.

It all began with Sonata K 330. A Mozart piece of childlike grace, a joyful sonata, more than profound. The clarity and serenity of the melodic design are the most apparent qualities of her interpretation which remains sober and a bit distant in this flowing, songlike music.

Thereafter Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky glide under the pianist’s fingers like some sort of picturesque piano postcards. Chopin’s famous Ballad n° 1 in G-Minor, for example, with its grand soaring arpeggios, its fleshy nuances, its disconcerted movements, excessively expressive and romantic, at each instant conveys the dazzling pianist’s assurance.

The second part of the recital was devoted to Franz Liszt’s boundless Sonata in B-Minor. A hallucinatory voyage in a fantastic country! Irina Chkourindina has the means and talent required to tackle this impressive work without appearing to drown. A veritable piano symphony, this sonata calls for every possible keyboard technique as well as all the nuances of which music is capable. The contrasts are violent from the beginning, between a first theme with abrupt intervals and a second theme with repeated sarcastic notes.

A COMBAT WITHOUT MERCY

The combat is immediately engaged, without mercy, the rejoinders always aggressive and violent. Only slowly does the first theme’s victory become apparent over the smoking remains of the staccato octaves’ fulgurating passes. This first trial obliges the two themes – as well as the pianist – to take a short rest, during an ample slow movement, which is both solemn and warm with sumptuous harmonies. Then the first theme returns, softly with ornaments rendering it suave; yet very quickly, the second theme sarcastically cuts it off. The combat resumes in earnest. All weapons are admissible: augmentations, trill ornaments, diminutions, retrogrades, contrary motions until the final confrontation which is a gigantic fugue “allegro energico”. A Mephistopholean piece under the fingers of an angelic-looking pianist makes for an explosive cocktail.

LE BIEN PUBLIC, BEAUNE, MARCH 2003

A Concert For Hope

Irina Chkourindina, a young pianist with talent and feeling

A piano recital will take place on March 13 in the Saint-Etienne Chapel for the benefit of the European Association against Leukodystrophy, a genetic disease which destroys the central nervous system.

The International Zonta and the Beaune Club are organizing an exceptional concert on Thursday March 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the Saint-Etienne Chapel, with proceeds going to the European Association against Leukodystrophy. The evening is organized by the members of the Zonta, in so far as one family from Beaune is directly affected by these illnesses which destroy the central nervous system in both children and adults.

The piano recital will be given by a young charming and talented musician, Irina Chkourindina.

Irina Chkourindina is a young Russian pianist, born in New Delhi, India, where her parents were part of the diplomatic mission. Even though there never had been a musician in her family, Irina Chkourindina was drawn to the piano at a very early age. In 1985, she entered the Pyotr Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and is presently preparing a “Virtuoso Diploma” at the Geneva Conservatory. During the course of the March 13 event, she will interpret Mozart (Sonata in C-Major KV 330), Chopin (Ballad n°1 in G-Minor), Rachmaninoff (Prelude in G-flat Minor), Kreisler-Rachmaninoff (“Chagrins d'amour”), Tchaikovsky-Pletneff (two pieces from the “Nutcracker Suite”, the Russian dance “Trepak andante”) and Liszt (Sonata in B-Minor).

A FIGHT WITHOUT MERCY

Leukodystrophy is a very serious disease which destroys the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) in children as well as adults. The nerve is deprived of its casing (known as the myelin sheath), like an uncovered electrical wire, after which it can no longer able provide a safe conduction. It progressively leads to paralysis and in its worst cases the patient degenerates into a irremediable vegetative state.

There is no known treatment and the disease is considered to be an “orphan” since the number of cases, both children and adults, is relatively small. However the disease affects three newborns a week in France and 22 in Europe.

The Euorpean Association against Leukodystrophy, created in 1992, represents the only hope and has already devoted 3.6 million Euros to research. The research is progressing and is presently seeking the means for repairing the myelin sheath. The first tests on humans have been effected, but another million Euros will be required in the short-term.

Numerous sponsors have devoted themselves to this cause: Zidane, Luc Alphand, Florent Pagny, Emmanuelle Seigner, and the president of the Danone group, Frank Ribaud.

The concert will take place Thursday, March 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the Saint-Etienne Chapel, place Ziem, in Beaune. Price of the tickets: 8 Euros.

LA COTE , SEPTEMBER 2003
By Pierre-Alain Monnet

Autumn Cultural Activities

As the “Versoix Meets Art and Cinema Association” (abbreviated VRAC corresponding to the French “Versoix Rencontre Art & Cinéma”) launches its initiative for creating a cultural center, the Caves de Bon-Séjour celebrates the return to school with an evening with gypsy ambience. Because of budgetary restrictions, the fall program with be a bit lighter, but nevertheless remains enticing.

In light of their ever-growing success, these Jam sessions will take place on the first Thursday of each month. The concerts of classical music, organized by Mrs. Sidiqqui, will be held on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30 p.m. On October 1^st, there will be an Offenbach concert with operetta airs interpreted by Didier Kohli and Claire Honnegger. An exceptional concert by the concert pianist Irina Chkourindina is planned for November 5. She will explore the repertoire of Bach, Schuman, Villa Lobos, Bartok and Chopin. Finally, on December 10, the cellist and composer Nathalie Manser will play a Musical Revelry.

Irina Chkourindina won the first prize at the 2005 Orpheus competition in Zurich and has often been a soloist in various musical events in Switzerland (at the Schubertiade, the concerts of Espace 2 and at the Geneva Music Festival).

PARIS-MATCH SUISSE, NOVEMBER 2006
by Odile Habel

Music Supporting Research

The Cercle de la Grange, a Franco-Swiss association devoted to aiding children and youths, invited the pianist Irina Chkourindina and the soprano Sophie Graf in support of the Research Fund for the Cerebral Development of Children directed by Professor Petra Huppi of the Geneva University Hospital and that of Premature Children directed by Professor Jean-Bernard Gouyon of the University Hospital of Dijon.

Last September 30, during a festive weekend attended by numerous local personalities as well as an illustrious delegation from Geneva, these two artists gave a recital in the prestigious cadre of the Salle des Pôvres of Beaune’s Hospice-Dieu, much to the delight of an audience of connoisseurs. A gala dinner prolonged this exceptional concert.

PARIS-MATCH SUISSE, OCTOBER 2005
by Nicole Kunz

The Cultural Treasures of the Société des Arts

Irina Chkourindina, a young Russian pianist, will be the guest of the Thursday Piano Sessions next February. Founded in 1776, the Société des Arts of Geneva is one of the oldest cultural societies in Switzerland. It consists of three classes: Agriculture and the Art of Living, Industry and Commerce, and the Beaux Arts, which include the Thursday Piano Sessions, organized for several years by a passionate music-lover, the Society’s secretary; Claire Haugrel.

Each class offers its members interesting conferences as well as cultural visits in and out of the region. Wine-lovers will be delighted to learn that the Class of Agriculture and Art of Living will be dedicating this year’s theme to visiting vineyards and other prominent wine-related sites. The Class of Industry and Commerce will host various guests to debate Geneva’s public and private economy. The Class of Beaux Arts will examine the fascinating universe of the portrait with lecturers explaining the different facets of this art form. The Thursday Piano Sessions are the latest innovation of the Société des Arts and have already knitted sturdy links with prestigious institutions while providing participants with interesting exchanges. A new prize is being granted this year, the Jean Clostre Award, named after one of the members of the Société des Arts, and will, in conjunction with the Naef Award, promote young pianist prodigies. Starting this year, a partnership has been concluded with the Festival des Serres of Auteuil, thus permitting the laureate to perform in this magnificent and prestigious Parisian cadre. The Thursday Pianos Sessions are also in contact with the Menuhin Gstaad Festival which will open its doors to the winner for a recital.

One can only rejoice at the opportunities the Société des Arts provides to a Geneva public, whose fondness for quality conferences and concerts is well-known.

GAGARINE TIMES, DECEMBER 2003
By NP

Geneva-Moscow via Caracas or via New

Delhi?

[...] The distance traveled by Irina Chkourindina is increasingly common amongst the rising stars of classical Russian music: they first begin studying in Russia and then complete their education in Europe. Her journey began in a rather more exotic fashion since she was born in India 25 years ago.

Familiar with the piano from the age of four, Irina had the option of attending one of several Russian and European musical institutions. She chose the Moscow Conservatory. After receiving the Conservatory’s diploma (classes of professors Pissareff and Dorensky) she is presently following a virtuoso finishing program in Geneva (under the guidance of master Edson Elias). She is of the opinion that it is the Conservatory’s policy of attracting the highest caliber professors from all over the world which makes the Diplôme des Etudes Supérieures (Diploma for Higher Education) so coveted.

She does not regret pursuing her studies in Geneva: the music-loving public is both numerous and enlightened. A profusion of festivals makes Switzerland an agreeable place to live; her engagement agenda is fully booked by the prestigious show in Verbier, the Schubertiade in Martigny and the Geneva Music Festival. The Choir of the Geneva University is directed by a Russian, a soprano hails from Moscow and Irina Chkourindina is at the piano: did anybody mention a Russian Invasion? After the concert in Valais, she was congratulated in her mother tongue and discovered that Russians had come from Geneva to hear their compatriot play, as though this was some banal promenade in Moscow. When she plays solo, she herself selects the program and Russian composers are always among her favorites, Rachmaninoff above all.

Good karma, eternal return or a passion for new horizons? Each February, before the monsoon begins to blow on the sub-continent, Irina goes to perform before a large public in New Delhi, Bombay or Jaipur. The year 2004 will be no exception and she is already looking forward to her trip.

Irina Chkourindina will play on December 18 at the Australia Dream Space, route Taillepied l, Lutry. The show will start at 8:00 p.m. Schubert, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Schumann are on the program.

LE BIEN PUBLIC, BEAUNE, 12 MARCH 2003

Allying Music with a Heart’s Elan

Piano Recital by Irina Chkourinidina

Irina played Works of Mozart, Chopin and Rachmaninov

Irina Chkourindina gave a piano recital in the Saint-Etienne Chapel. The young Russian pianist, a product of the Pyotr Tchaikovsky State Conservatory of Moscow, is presently preparing a “Virtuoso Diploma” at the Geneva State Conservatory.

This recital, sponsored by the Zonta Club of Beaune, was given for the benefit of the European Association against Leukodystrophy, a serious disease which destroys the central nervous system in both children and adults. The recital was preceded by the projection of a documentary called “Mets tes baskets et bats la maladie” (roughly translated “Put on your gym shoes to stamp out the illness”); the launching of a national crusade against the disease will take place in Paris on the Champ de Mars, Wednesday March 19 in the presence of Zinédine Zidane.

On the recital’s program were works of such virtuosos as Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Liszt. But this was not Irina’s first appearance. Already as a six-year old, she performed a French song in public in Moscow. Five years later she obtained the Red Diploma, the equivalent of a gold medal, then at age 13 participated in several major competitions and was a member of several musical ensembles, winning her first prize in Moscow as an accompanist.

The Saint-Etienne chapel was filled, charmed by the young virtuoso. A good occasion to ally music with a heart’s .