Inna Faliks’ most personal recording project to date is now available on Delos Records.
Inna Faliks, a spellbinding Ukrainian-born pianist with a glowing international reputation, has a long-standing practice of alternating musical interludes with the spoken word takes the form here of narrative storytelling. With this unique CD—her first for Delos—Inna has a captivating tale to tell.
Her story chronicles her life’s path: her family’s emigration to America, her seminal early influences and her evolution as an artist. And it’s also her love story, as she is reunited as an adult with the childhood friend who is now her husband.
Each episode of the pianist’s saga—dramatically narrated by actress Rebecca Mozo— alternates with a beautifully played masterpiece that is closely connected to her life story from childhood onward. Music and words combine to spin a powerful and moving tale.
Program
Rodion Shchedrin: Basso Ostinato
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G-sharp Minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book
Jan Freidlin: Ballade in Black and White
W.A. Mozart: Fantasia in D Minor, K 397
Chopin-Liszt: The Maiden’s Wish
Paganini-Liszt: La Campanella
Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise-fantaisie, Op. 61
George Gershwin: Prelude 1 in B- at Major
Gershwin: Prelude 2 in C-sharp Minor
Gershwin: Prelude 3 in E- at Minor
Elliot Carter: Retrouvailles
P. I. Tchaikovsky: Nocturne in C-sharp Minor
Harrison Birtwistle: Oockooing Bird
Press
American Record Guide
“[Polonaise-Fantaisie] is a unique program, combining an autobiography with music linked to that story… Poignant, humorous, and perceptive to anyone who has ever pursued music, the spoken words allow you to get to know Faliks far beyond other pianists you may listen to. The piano pieces are very well performed and extremely well selected… The program is a complete picture of the wide range of repertoire she excels at.”
Fanfare
“The music is impeccably chosen and performed…Faliks’s performance has a fiery confidence all of its own.”
James Wegg Reviews
“Lovingly crafted and yields a fine balance between lift, legato and ever-sensitive harmonic shifts; élan, sauciness and marvellous control as required… A reflective, thoughtful summation of ‘a life so far.’”
WFMT (Chicago)
“Faliks’ new album chronicles her life’s path: her family’s emigration to America, her seminal early influences and her evolution as an artist.”
Video
Memorial Concert for Irene Faliks – Inna plays Polonaise-Fantasie – at 1 hr 47 minutes.
Inna plays Polonaise-Fantasie – at 1 hr 47 minutes.
