Anna Fedorova - Shaping Chopin: Waltzes, Mazurkas, Nocturnes (2021) [HI-Res]

The year 2020 was the strangest and loneliest year that I lived through so far. Around the world, so many of us had to find our own way to get through the fear, frustration, and feeling of the unknown. The world’s busiest cities suddenly became empty, families got separated, planes stopped flying, and concert halls went into deafening silence for such a long time. Everyone dealt with this situation in his or her own way and found comfort however they could. Of course, for us musicians, music was something that gave this comfort, taking our minds away and transporting us to different worlds. I, for instance, found myself diving into the music of Chopin. His music had an important place in my life from early childhood and I worked extensively on various pieces with my parents, who were my teachers at that time in Kiev. While the pandemic separated us for a long period of time, I felt closer to them through his music. Practising certain waltzes or nocturnes seemed to transport me in time and space and reflected the current mood with their dreaminess and melancholy.

When the opportunity to record a new album spontaneously arose, I immediately thought about the music of Chopin. I made a selection of various Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, and added the Fantaisie Impromptu, as they cover a wide spectrum of emotions, moods and colours. It’s incredible how Chopin can express so intensively and so deeply in a piece which lasts just a few minutes. He always manages to create a captivating atmosphere and a unique dream world. While performing Chopin’s miniatures it feels like diving into a living painting, artistically shaping its unique story, colours and characters with music. From the haunting mysterious atmosphere in his Nocturne Op. 27 No. 1 to the joyful, colourful whirling at a ball in Waltzes Op. 18 and Op. 34, and to the sadness and melancholy of Waltzes Op. 34 No. 2 and Op. 64, No. 2. In the Waltz Op. 64 No. 3 I feel as if I’m following a love story, in Nocturne Op. 27 No. 2 as if I’m soaring in the sky, and in the Fantaisie Impromptu as if I’m taken by forces of nature with boundless power!

In listening to this album I hope that the awe inspiring magic of Chopin’s music will comfort you amidst difficult times as it has done for me, and that it sweeps you away to the fantasy world of your dreams.