Butterflying: Piano Music by Elena Kats-Chernin (ABC Classics)
Performed by ARIA Awardwinner Tamara-Anna Cislowska and the composer herself, ABC Classics is proud to release Butterflying, the first major survey of the piano music of Elena Kats-Chernin.
Ever since her childhood in Uzbekistan, the piano has been – in her own words – Kats-Chernin’s ‘best friend’. At the age of six she wrote her first piano piece, Lullaby, which she later revised for her youngest son and is presented on this album as Lullaby for Nick. From this work to pieces written in 2015, Butterflying presents the full range of Kats-Chernin’s extraordinary compositional palette: irresistibly lyrical works such as Waltz of Things Past and Butterflying (originally composed for the opening ceremony of the 2003 Rugby World Cup), dramatic and moving works such as Vocalise and For Richard, and iconic works such as Eliza Aria and Slicked Back Tango. The album features 14 world premiere recordings, and spent weeks at no.2 in the ARIA Classical Charts.
Many of the pieces are performed solo by Tamara-Anna Cislowska. Others are presented in versions for piano four hands, with Elena joining Tamara at the keyboard to celebrate their long-standing friendship and collaboration, in thrilling performances which are half-composed, half-improvised. The result is a playful yet comprehensive introduction to Kats-Chernin’s music for new listeners, with surprising and delightful new interpretations of works well-loved by her fans.
Born and raised in Uzbekistan and now a resident of Australia, Elena Kats-Chernin is one of the world’s best-loved and most prolific composers. Her music featured at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the 2003 Rugby World Cup, whilst her Eliza Aria became known to a generation of Britons when it was featured in the Lloyds TSB ‘For the Journey’ ad campaign. In 2015 her widely-praised opera The Divorce was premiered on ABC TV.
Tamara-Anna Cislowska is one of Australia’s most acclaimed pianists, and winner of the 2015 ARIA Award for ‘Best Classical Album’ for her survey of the solo piano music of Peter Sculthorpe – an album which also won ‘Editor’s Choice’ in BBC Music Magazine and was described as ‘a profoundly affecting release’ by Gramophone magazine. Tamara will be guest commentator for the 2016 Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia on ABC Classic FM.
Album available 6 May 2016 | 2CD digi | ABC 481 2625
LINKS:
- BUTTERFLYING media release May 2016
- Read Limelight Magazine‘s “Backstage with Elena Kats-Chernin and Tamara-Anna Cislowska” (May 2016 issue)
- Buy Butterflying on the ABC Shop online or iTunes
- Listen to Tamara’s interview with Mairi Nicholson on ABC Classic FM’s Music Makers program
UPCOMING TOUR DATES in November 2016 and 2017 – coming soon!