Review of the concert at Salle Gaveau, Paris 10/15/2021

It is with all the delicacy of her playing of rare elegance, limpid and fluid that the virtuoso Russian pianist Irina Lankova captivated us during this recital mainly dedicated to Rachmaninoff and Schubert. Because one can only be fascinated by her airy and refined touch with a shivering sensitivity in the service of an exceptional musical universe that she loves and reveals with majesty and grace.

First part of the program was dedicated to some of the most beautiful pages of Rachmaninoff. From the beginning, Lankova is sublime in opening Élégie op.3 with an immediate dive into pure emotion. Then, twirling in the picture op.39 n.3, bewitching in opus 33, n.8 touching and intimate in the two romances Op. 43, n.14 and op..21, n.7, mystical in the prelude op.23, n.7, ephemeral butterfly in the op.32, n.12, sarcastic in the Liebesleid by Fritz Kreisler. Thus, the artist unveils in turn a fascinating musical personality that cannot leave you indifferent. An emotional journey continued with as much accuracy and brilliance, first with two meditative and refined pieces in world premiere by Dirk Brossé, in articulation with Schubert through the Impromptu D.899 and two transcriptions by Liszt of two Lieder, three pieces here delicately chiseled with ardor, passion and dreamlike interpretation. Obvious and judicious conclusion of the program announced by the superior appeasement with the adagio BWV 974 of J.S. Bach.

A concert with a dazzling interpretation, like the pianist's last album “Élégie”, of exceptional quality, which will undoubtedly be a reference of all music lovers. Irina Lankova combines sensory genius and virtuoso technique, expresses the unspeakable, illuminates, confides without ambiguity and fascinates with her sincerity ! "

Jean-Paul Bottemanne / Lexnews.fr / Translated from French