'Fantasy and Inspiration' - Piano Recital by Sophia Agranovich May 19, 2013

Program includes 'Appassionata' Sonata by Beethoven, Fantaisie in F minor by Chopin, Schumann-Liszt Liebeslied 'Widmung' ('Dedication'), and Brahms Variations on the Theme by Paganini – both books. This piece is well known for its emotional depth and technical challenges. Clara Schumann called it Hexenvariationen (Witch's Variations) because of its difficulty. Writer David Dubal describes it as "a legend in the piano literature," and "fiendish," "one of the most subtly difficult works in the literature." He quotes critic James Huneker: ‘... These diabolical variations, the last word in the technical literature of the piano, are also vast spiritual problems. To play them requires fingers of steel, a heart of burning lava and the courage of a lion."
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Sophia Agranovich, a master interpreter of music of the Romantic Era, will grace the stage with a performance of piano selections of Chopin, Brahms, and Beethoven. Ms. Agranovich’s audiences are captivated by her extraordinary technique, tonal beauty, and dynamic range versatility, as well as the passion exhibited in her playing. Praised by the distinguished composer, David Diamond, Sophia is “a musician of splendid gifts…as a pianist of remarkable technical accomplishments, she is also one of the more sensitive artists, who bring to her performances a percipiency and sensibility all too rare among her contemporaries…She is a singular artist and should be admired for that rare quality alone.”

Ms. Agranovich is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso pianist, recording artist and educator, performing as a soloist and chamber musician. Jerry Dubins writes in Fanfare Magazine: “Sophia Agranovich’s alchemy of mind-bending technical prowess and heart-melting emotional expressivity add up to one of the most glorious piano recitals this side of Elysium.” Ms. Agranovich is a First Prize winner of All-Ukrainian Young Artists and Bergen Philharmonic competitions, Program Chair of Music Educators Association of NJ, Artistic Director of classical music series at the Watchung Arts Center, listed in the Juilliard Private Teachers directory, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and is on the Steinway Artists roster. Ms. Agranovich is an esteemed pedagogue and is a recipient of numerous awards for teaching excellence. She conducts master classes and lectures, adjudicates competitions, and coaches professional musicians. Ms. Agranovich earned a Bachelor and Master Degrees from the Juilliard School, where she held a full scholarship and teaching Fellowship. Her major professors were legendary Sascha Gorodnitzki and Nadia Reisenberg.
WWW.SOPHIAGRANOVICH.COM.