Denise Marsa / KeyMedia Public Relations / KeyMedia Group
I recently spoke with my client, rising virtuoso classical pianist SHIZ’KA about why she picked the pieces she did for her program and now live CD BRILLIANCE & FERVOR and what sets her playing apart from other young pianists playing these pieces by renowned composers. She picked four pieces to discuss.
SHIZ’KA DISCUSSES HER LIVE CONCERT & ALBUM BRILLIANCE & FERVOR
1. Chopin Ballade no.4 Op.52 in F minor
“I have always loved Chopin’s work, however I had thought that I was not quite there yet to convey his poetic/musical beauty until I heard the featured pianist Walreck Spielman in the movie “The Pianist.” I listened to the music again the day before the performance/recording of my program “Brilliance & Fervor.” His tormented soul was right within his fingers and connected with his heart. As a result, I connected with him. As I sat down to play this work, the day I recorded, I was emotionally charged and began thinking less, so my playing was even less intellectual. I am rarely one to play only “intellectually” and this performance took me to a deeper emotional connection with Chopin, because of my watching Spielman. I was suddenly ready and inspired to play Chopin. It was if he handed me the torch to carry on his interpretation, yet I was able to somehow find my own voice and still feel his existence.”
2. Rachmaninoff Moments Musicaux Op.16 No.3 in B minor
“Hearing a live performance of Vladimir Horowitz of this work made me realize how challenging it can be to bring this piece to truly come alive in the sentiment in which Rachmaninoff intended. There was only one goal for me which was not to perform this work unless I too in my own way could convey the sorrowful longing in this piece. I feel my potential on this piece was fully realized, I am quite pleased with this performance.”
3. Prokofiev Piano Sonata in D minor Op.14 (3) Andante
“The first time I played through this piece, I felt the music bleeding through the score. There was an ease in which the music naturally poured out of me, through my fingers. I felt every note and it became almost like watching a film that was about my own life. There was pain that I was finally letting go of from parts of my past. This performance was a triumph because I felt liberated.”
4. Prokofiev Piano Sonata in D minor Op.14 (4) Vivace
“I felt driven to play this movement, the composition itself, highlights my own style and character of my playing. As the music progresses, there is a fury and a fiery element that had me using my precision and my intensity in a way I had not experienced, until this performance.”
DENISE MARSA 