For those of you not in the know, Zlata Chochieva first came to international attention with her highly-praised recordings of works by Chopin and Rachmaninov.

Displaying a deep affinity with these composers, combined with probing honesty and imagination, they have established her as a distinctive voice amongst pianists.

Hailed by Gramophone as “the possessor of a comprehensive technique who brings an inner glow to every bar”, Zlata Chochieva appears regularly at many prestigious concert halls, festivals and with major orchestras and conductors.

This season, Zlata returns to Aachen Symphony Orchestra for performances of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 which follows on from having been “Artist in Focus” there in the 19/20 season.

She also returns to the Serate Musicale series in Milan and Berlin Klavierfestival at the Konzerthaus as well as visiting Tilburg and Linz for recitals.

She will be touring the USA giving recitals in Miami, Minneapolis and San Diego amongst others.

And so with Zlata Chochieva joining Naïve exclusively she has now brought out this month the first album of their collaboration, Chiaroscuro, which features Mozart and Scriabin, to coincide with Scriabin’s 150th birthday.

1-10. Mozart - Variations (9) on a minuet by Duport for piano in D major, K. 573
11-15. Scriabin - 5 Preludes op.15
16-19. Scriabin - Piano Sonata No. 3 in F sharp minor (“Etats d’âme”), Op. 23
20-30. Mozart - Variations (10) on “Unser dummer Pöbel meint,” for piano in G major, K. 455
31-35. Scriabin - 5 Preludes op.16
36. Scriabin - Piano Sonata no.10 op.70
37. Mozart - Gigue for piano in G major (“Eine kleine Gigue”), K. 574

Scriabin and Mozart: two composers rarely associated, yet the juxtaposition here seems clear when performed by Zlata Chochieva. Yet on this vivaciously heartfelt new, and first album, the Russian pianist, new to the naïve label, is ingenious in both the cycles of fragmented variations and the more opulent sonatas or preludes.

Opening on the elegantly graceful work of Mozart’s 9 Variations (on a minuet by Duport for piano in D major, K. 573), where each one brings forth its very own spirited waves, delicate nature, and at times flirtatiously impassioned and, dare I say, forthrightly playful melodies, we then enjoy the rhythmic melodies within Scriabin’s - 5 Preludes (op.15) and furthermore the more pronounced themes and refrains within his Piano Sonata No. 3 in F sharp minor (“Etats d’âme”, Op. 23). [Not listed is also the most sublime bonus Mozart moment of Fantasia Master 44k 16b.]

Next we receive the woundrous collection of Mozart’s 10 Variations (on “Unser dummer Pöbel meint,” for piano in G major, K. 455) which range from the opening perkiness on through to the tantalizingly embellished through to the vivaciously lively finale, and which is backed, for the most part, by the more somber, subdued tones held with Scriabin’s 5 Preludes op.16.

Rounding this incredible work of musical art out is the quietly spirited work of Scriabin’s Piano Sonata no.10 (op.70) and then one of my own personal favorites, Mozart’s precisely manicured, restraints off flow within Gigue for piano in G major (“Eine kleine Gigue”, K. 574). [Not listed is also the quite glorious bonus Mozart moment Fantasia Master 44k 16b]

About this new collaboration with naïve, Zlata Chochieva said: “I am extremely happy to become part of the family at naïve and look forward to our upcoming recording projects exploring some wonderful music. I am delighted to announce that our first album together will celebrate the 150th birth-anniversary of the great Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, whose world will be highlighted by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”

“Scriabin and Mozart have walked by my side along my musical path since I was a child, and recording this repertoire has been an act of pure happiness for me, so I can’t wait to share it with a wide audience.”

Official Zlata Chochieva Website