A playing style that unites stunning virtuosity and a delicate touch in the best possible way. […] Rarely have I met such a versatile artist.
– Wolfgang Rihm
Anna Zassimova’s piano playing blends sparkling technique and vibrant musicality – pianistic qualities that one might associate with the Russian piano school in the mould of Heinrich Neuhaus and his pupils Sviatoslav Richter and Emil Gilels.
– Bayrische Rundfunk
Thoroughly exquisite
– Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
ANNA ZASSIMOVA is a pianist of a kind rarely still found, the sort you’d imagine walking out the pages of a 19th century novel. Her playing bleeds with passionate intensity, all softness and fury, coupled with an unparalleled knowledge and sympathetic understanding of the works she plays. There’s nothing showy about it, though it’s riveting, and all the emotion – and my god there is plenty – is of the sort that can only be lived, and cannot be faked.
Anna Zassimova is a product of – perhaps the last generation of – the Great Russian School founded by Heinrich Neuhaus: Bayerische Rundfunk were the first of many to compare her playing to that of Richter and Gilels. The comparison is an apt one.
She trained at the world-renowned Gnessin School in Moscow from age six. While studying her first degree (in piano, at Gnessin Academy, taught by Vladimir Tropp), she experienced the traumas of the collapse of the Soviet Union first hand and full-on, an experience she credits with causing her to “commit” to her art as the only stable point in what was, for her, a time of great instability. Her education, she explains, trained pianists’ hands and minds, almost from birth; it was at this time that piano became her soul. Personal circumstances led her to leave Russia for Germany during this period. She received a DAAD Fellowship to do so, and duly studied at the Karlsruhe Music University (under Michael Uhde und Markus Stange) where she now teaches.
Over the course of the last decade, she has entranced audiences at a plethora of festivals and major concert halls, both with her solo recitals and her concerti. Her solo CD recordings, featuring Romantic and contemporary works have drawn unchecked praise from every quarter. These recordings have focussed on Chopin, her great ‘non-Russian’ love, Schumann, Brahms and fin-de-siecle Russian composers. Vergessene Weisen (“Forgotten Ways”) and it’s sequel, Sonata Reminiscenza, her albums of disappearing Romantic and modernist Russian music and ways of feeling, featuring Medtner, Catoire, Scriabin Roslavets and Wyschnegradsky are widely considered as her greatest recordings. She has also featured on chamber recordings of Tanejew and Catoire, released by cpo. The new Chopin-Album, recorded for BIS, will come out on 2. June 2023.
Zassimova is unusual among performers of her calibre for the breadth of her artistic education, and has taken additional degrees in musicology (where her monograph on Georgy Catoire is singularly responsible for renewed interest in the early 20th century composer) and history of art. She has worked with numerous galleries and events to create programmes pairing paintings and piano works, and entrancing audiences with her discourses on the former and performances of the latter. She is also herself an avid painter, with numerous collectors of her minituarist images of the Russia she remembers,
But it is the piano, truly an extension of Zassimova’s soul, at which all these disparate passions, tempests and deep thoughts come together. And how they do! There are many great piano performers in our time. Zassimova is a true Artist.
– Adam Donen
Events
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Mon01May20177:30 pmSudhaus, Big Hall
A.Schönberg - Pierrot lunaire op.21
Szenische Aufführung in Verbindung mit der Kammeroper Reutlingen (please translate it, I could not... thank you!)With Ulrike Härter, soprano, and Ensemble Phorminx
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Fri27Oct20177:00 pmStaatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
Exhibition opening: Cézanne / Metamorphosen
Claude Debussy: „Estampes“: Pagodes, La Soirée dans Grenade, Jardins sous la pluie, Soir
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Tue22May20185:00 pmThéâtre de pierres
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Sat09Jun20186:00 pmThe Filharmonia Śląska
musical series of Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice
Sergey Taneyev. Piano Quintet G-minor op. 30with Kwartet Śląski
http://www.nospr.org.pl/pl/koncerty/1068/kwartet-slaski-anna-zassimowa-kolory-rosji
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Sun05Aug20186:00 pmSalviac Church
Songs by Mussourgski, Schubert and Chopin.
With Mario Hacquard, Baritone -
Mon17Sep20187:30 pmElbphilharmonie Hamburg, small hall
Works by N. Medtner, A. Skrjiabin, W. Kalinnikov, G. Catoire
https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/de/programm/anna-zassimova/11108
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Sun23Sep201811:00 amHospental
"Russia visits the Gotthard Fortress"
Works of Tschaikowski, Medtner, Catoire and Skrjabin.
https://m.myswitzerland.com/de-de/events/event-556170365.html -
Fri05Oct20188:00 pmStiftskirche (Kirchplatz 1, Vreden)
FREI & STRENG
Musik zwischen Serialität und Aleatorik
Works by Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Cage, Volker Blumenthaler, Gottfried Michael Koenig, Roman Haubenstock-Ramati and Achim BornhöftWith Ensemble Phorminx
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Sat06Oct20188:00 pmKloster Bentlag
FREI & STRENG
Musik zwischen Serialität und Aleatorik
Works by Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Cage, Volker Blumenthaler, Gottfried Michael Koenig, Roman Haubenstock-Ramati and Achim BornhöftWith Ensemble Phorminx
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Sun07Oct20188:00 pmFriedenskapelle
FREI & STRENG
Musik zwischen Serialität und Aleatorik
Works by Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Cage, Volker Blumenthaler, Gottfried Michael Koenig, Roman Haubenstock-Ramati and Achim BornhöftWith Ensemble Phorminx
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Sat13Oct20187:00 pmPalazzo-Halle
Works by Frederic Chopin, Nikolaj Medtner, Claude Debussy
Presented by LIONS-Club Karlsruhe-Zirkel
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Tue23Oct2018Wed24Oct20187:00 pmState Tschaikowski Conservatory
Concert&Conference "From Modern to Futurism / Russian Aspect"
By Conference on 23.10.18: The Phenomenon of composer Georges Catoire.
In Concert on 24.10.18, at 7 pm: Georges Catoire, Quatre Preludes Op 17, Deux Poems Op. 34,
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Sun18Nov20184:00 pmHet CenakelWorks by N. Medtner, G. Catoire, F. Chopin, C. Debussy.
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Sun25Nov20185:00 pm
Works by Frederic Chopin, Nikolaj Medtner, Claude Debussy
Contact/reservation: kontakt@lampenfieber.ch
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Sun02Dec20185:00 pmHotel ErbprinzWorks by Beethoven and Debussywith Friederike Pasquay, Violoncello
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Sat19Jan20197:30 pmMusikinselGeorges Catoire Piano Quintett op. 28Sergej Tanjeew Piano Quintett Op. 30With Daniel Austrich, Alexei Semenenko, Violine, Julien Heichelbech, Viola, László Fenyo, Violoncello
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Wed15May20197:00 pmMajorenhaus Alpnachstadt (CH)
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Fri17May2019
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Thu13Jun20197:00 pmAula University Gießen
Recital: works of Vsevolod Zaderatsky, Alexander Mossolov, Nikolaj Medtner et al
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Sat31Aug2019
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Sat12Oct2019
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Tue26Nov20197:00 pmHouse of Composers, Sankt-Petersburg Bolshaja Morskaja, 25
Concert of Festival STAM
In Program: Works of Georges Catoire -
Wed27Nov20192:00 pmRussian State Academy for Visual Arts Glasunov, Moscow, Ul. Mjasnitzkaja 21
Works of Georges Catoire
As a Part of the international conference SPIRITUAL SENSE OF NATIONAL CULTURE OF RUSSIA: RETROSPECTION, MODERNITY, PROSPECTS -
Sun01Dec2019
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Thu05Dec20195:30 pmKarlsruher Institut for Technology, Campus Nord
Fortbildungszentrum für Technik und Umwelt,
Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
https://www.kit.edu
Works of Nikolaj Medtner and Georges Catoire -
Fri06Dec20197:00 pmWolfgang-Rihm-Forum, HFM Karlsruhe
Am Schloss Gottesaue 7, 76131 Karlsruhe
"manuscripts don’t burn"
Music and Art of Russian Avantgarde
Concept: Dr. Anna Zassimova • Prof. Markus Stange
http://www.hfm-karlsruhe.de/hfm/01-veranstaltungen/konzerte/2019-20_WS/12.html -
Sun02Feb20207:00 pmWolfgang-Rihm-Forum, HFM Karlsruhe
Am Schloss Gottesaue 7, 76131 Karlsruhe
Ludwig van Beethoven
Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 4 G-Dur op. 58
SchulmusikOrchester der Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe
Leitung Stefan Ottersbach -
Sat22Feb20207:00 pmElbphilharmonie
Chamber music: work of Webern, Tanejew, Catoire,
With Svetlin Roussev, Daniel Austrich, Violin, Julien Heichelbech, Viola, László Fenyo, Violoncello -
Wed18Mar20205:00 pmOffene Kirche Sils Maria, CH
Klavierabend Werke von Frederic Chopin, Nikola Roslawez u.a.
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Sat21Mar2020Privatkonzert, Adresse auf die Anfrage.
Werke von Nikolaj Medtner, Nikolaj Roslawez, Georges Catoire.
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Fri03Apr20207:30 pmMusikhochschule Karlsruhe, Velte Saal
International bilingual Conference JOSEPH JOACHIM:Identitiens
Works of Joseph Joachim and Johannes BrahmsDr. Michael Struck, Moderation, und Dr. Anna Zassimova, Klavier
https://www.josephjoachim2020.com -
Sat18Apr20207:00 pmForum Bau+ Kultur Knittlingen
Werke von Friederike Chopin und Ludwig van Beethoven
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Fri22May20207:00 pmHeutschi Pianos, Bern, CH, Morillonstrasse 14, 3007, Bern
Works of Frederic Chopin, Dmitri Schostakowitsch, Alexander Mossolov, Vsevolod Saderatsky, Nikolaj Roslawez.
https://www.pianoissimo.ch -
Sat23May20207:00 pmKulturhaus West, Zofingen, CH, 19.00 Weststrasse 2, 4800 Zofingen
Works of Frederic Chopin, Dmitri Schostakowitsch, Alexander Mossolov, Vsevolod Saderatsky, Nikolaj Roslawez.
https://www.pianoissimo.ch -
Sun24May20207:00 pmPfisternUp, Alpnach, CH, 19.00 Pfisternstrasse 2, 6055, Alpnach Dorf
Works of Frederic Chopin, Dmitri Schostakowitsch, Alexander Mossolov, Vsevolod Saderatsky, Nikolaj Roslawez.
https://www.pianoissimo.ch -
Sat04Jul20207:00 pmKongresshalle Gießen
Ludwig van Beethoven Klavierkonzert Nr.4 G-Dur Op. 58 Mit dem Universitätsorchester Gießen, Leitung Stefan Ottersbach.
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Thu09Jul20207:00 pmHolzwickede Allee 5 59439 Holzwickede
Recital
Works of Ludwig van Beethoven and Frederic Chopin -
Sat01Aug20208:00 pmLichtenfels Marktplatz 1, DE/96215 Lichtenfels
Klassik Open/Air
Works for two pianos of Johannes Brahms and Dave Brubeck.
With Christoph Sirodeau, Piano -
Sat08Aug20205:00 pmOrangerie des Brenners Park-Hotel. Schillerstraße 4/6, 76530 Baden-Baden
In Rahmen von En Suite - Festspiele des Festspielhauses Baden-Baden (DE)
Russische Klaviermusik in der Orangerie des Brenners Park-Hotel; Moderiertes Konzert -
Sun09Aug202011:00 amOrangerie des Brenners Park-Hotel. Schillerstraße 4/6, 76530 Baden-Baden
In Rahmen von En Suite - Festspiele des Festspielhauses Baden-Baden (DE)
Klaviermusik in der Orangerie des Brenners Park-Hotel -
Sun06Sep20206:00 pmOdeon der Schule für Musik, Theater und Tanz (SMTT) Wolboldstraße 21 71063 Sindelfingen
Anna Zassimova, Klavier
Robert Arnold, Rezitation
Werke von Frédéric Chopin, Geoges Catoire, Nikolaj Roslawez
Informationen -
Sat06Feb20218:00 pmHauptstraße 29, 48624 Schöppingen
Works of Frederic Chopin, Dmitri Schostakowitsch, Alexander Mossolov, Vsevolod Saderatsky, Nikolaj Roslawez
http://www.schoeppinger-konzerte.de -
Sat10Apr20218:00 pmErnst-Leitz-Saal, Steinbühlstraße 15c, 35578 Wetzlar
Wetzlarer Spilburg Konzerte
Anna Zassimova „Kulturschaffende im Visier der Sowjet-Machthaber“
Werke von Nikolaj Roslawez, Georges Catoire, Vsevolod Zaderatskij, Alexander Mossolov, Nikolaj Medtner u.a.
Tickets kaufen -
Fri28May20218:00 pmVilla Wieser Leonhard-Peters-Straße 2, 76863 Herxheim
Works for piano-duet of Antonin Dvorak, Franz Schubert, Claude Debussy, Astor Piazzolla.
With Christoph Sirodeau, Piano -
Wed26Jan20225:30 pmOffene Kirche Sils Maria, Engadin, Schweiz
Recital
Werke von Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Georges Catoire, Nikolaj Roslawez.
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Thu03Feb20227:00 pmState Tschaikowski Conservatory
With Yana Ivanilova (Soprano), Mikhail Turpanov, Karen Kornienko, Nino Barkalaya (Piano), Daniel Austrich (Violine), Nadya Meykson (Violine), Alexandra Budo (Violoncello), Yulia Kupriyanova (Piano)
In Program: works of Georges Catoire
Sonata for Violin & Piano nr. 2 (Poème) Op. 20
"Quatre morceaux pour piano", Op. 24
5 Pieces for Piano, Op.10
Romances
Piano Trio in F minor, Op.14 -
Sun20Mar20225:30 pmRathaus Schoeppingen
Recital
Werke von Robert Schumann, Georges Catoire, Wsewolod Zaderatzki
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Sun27Mar202211:00 amWeberhaus, Am Erlenpark 1, 77866 Rheinau/Linx
Rotary Club Offenburg-Ortenau
Mit Igor Mischurisman, Violine
Werke von Georges Catoire, Paul Ben-Him, Wsewolod Saderazki.
https://www.simonmoserkultur.de/projekte-1/charity/ukraine-hilfe/
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Sat09Apr20228:00 pmCultuurkapel Odulphus, Dendermonde, Belgien
Recital
Werke von Edward Grieg, Robert Schumann, Georges Catoire, Franz Liszt
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Sat14May20224:30 pmKernerstr. 1, 75438 Knittlingen
16.30 Einführung, 17.00 Konzert
Recital
Werke von Robert Schumann, Georges Catoire, Frederic Chopin
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Sat21May20228:00 pm
Recital
Werke von Robert Schumann, Georges Catoire, Frederic Chopin.
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Sun12Jun20227:00 pmGlockengasse 2, 38304 Wolfenbüttel
Werke von Edward Grieg, Robert Schumann, Georges Catoire, Claude Debussy, Karol Szymanowski
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Sun26Jun20226:30 pmTabou-Lounge, Zähringerstraße 65a, 76131 Karlsruhe
Werke von Frederic Chopin
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Sun18Sep20226:00 pmWolboldstraße 21, 71063 Sindelfingen, Deutschland
Odeon der SMTT in Sindelfingen
Werke von J.S. Bach, F. Mendelssohn, W.A. Mozart
Mit Sindelfinger Streichquartett
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Thu22Sep20227:00 pmStadthalle Gernsbach, Badener Straße 1, 76593 Gernsbach
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Fri07Oct20227:00 pmSchloss Ettlingen, Asamsaal, Schillerstraße 7-9, 76275 Ettlingen
Klassik Konzert mit Anna Zassimova - Christophe Sirodeau
Werke von Dvorak, Debussy, Piazolla u.a.
Mit Christophe Sirodeau, Klavier
Veranstalter: Lions Club Karlsruhe-Zirkel
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Fri28Oct20228:00 pmOb. Hauptstraße 3, 76863 Herxheim bei Landau (Pfalz)Werke für Klavier vierhändig von Antonin Dvorak, Claude Debussy, Astor Piazzolla.Mit Christophe Sirodeau, Klavier
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Sun06Nov20228:00 pmDen Haag, Laan van Meerdervoort 215, 2563 AA Den Haag, Netherlands
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Fri11Nov20227:00 pmEMMA – Kreativzentrum Pforzheim Emma-Jaeger-Straße 20 75175 Pforzheim
Works of Alexander Skrjabin, Georges Catoire, Alexander Mossolov, Vsevolod Zaderatskij.
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Sun13Nov20227:00 pmEMMA – Kreativzentrum Pforzheim Emma-Jaeger-Straße 20 75175 PforzheimWorks of Frederic Chopin, Leopold Godowski, Karol SzymanowskiLiterarisch-musikalischer Abend, with Susanne Fritz.
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Sat19Nov20228:00 pmA-19 Veranstaltungszentrum, Ernst-Leitz-Saal Steinbühlstraße 15c, 35578 Wetzlar
Rezital
Werke von Robert Schuhmann, Georges Catoire, Vsevolod Zaderatsky
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Sun22Jan20235:00 pmAltes Kino Ebersberg, Eberhardstr. 3, 85560 Ebersberg, Deutschland
Rezital
Werke von Robert Schuhmann, Frederic Chopin, Georges Catoire, Vsevolod Zaderatsky
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Sat04Mar2023Stadthalle Holzgerlingen, Berkenstraße 18, 71088 Holzgerlingen
https://www.holzgerlingen.de/de/aktuelles/meldungen/Klavierkonzert.php
Werke von Schubert, Liszt, Fauré, Debussy -
Thu30Mar20238:00 pmStadthalle Kehl, Zedernsaal
https://veranstaltungen.meinestadt.de/kehl/event-detail/36119695
Werke von Robert Schuhmann, Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Georges Catoire -
Sun02Apr20236:00 pmHemingway Lounge Karlsruhe
https://www.hemingwaylounge.de/veranstaltung/grosse-interpretinnen-anna-zassimova-klavier-rezital/
Klavierabend mit Werken von Schumann, Chopin, Catoire und Debussy -
Sun16Apr2023
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Sun07May20236:00 pmGipf-Oberfrick, SchweizWerke von Liszt, Fauré, Chopin, Schubert und Debussy
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Wed17May20238:00 pmSchloßallee 4 Gartrop-Bühl 46569 Hünxe Deutschland
Klavier-Festival Ruhr - Wasserschloss Gartrop
Werke von Liszt, Schubert, Debussy, Fauré und Saderazki -
Wed07Jun2023Fri09Jun2023Conservatory Utrecht
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Thu05Oct202319:30 - 21:30ZKO-Haus Seefelderstraße 305, 8008, Zürich, Schweiz
Works by: Franz Liszt, Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin, Gabriel Fauré, Christophe Sirodeau und Claude Debussy
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Sun05Nov20238:15 pmKriegsstraße 18, 69121 Heidelberg
Kammermusik von Ludwig van Beethoven und Sergej Rachmaninow
mit Johanna Leitz, Violoncello -
Sun28Jan20246:00 pmAllee 28, 74072 Heilbronn
Germaine Tailleferre - „Ballade" für Klavier und Orchester.
Mit Heilbronner Sinfonie Orchester, Dirigent: Alois Seidlmeier
https://www.hn-sinfonie.de/... -
Sat02Mar20247:30 pmWalburgissaal auf der Musikinsel • Schlachthausstraße 11 • 78224 Singen (Hohentwiel)
Werke von Ludwig van Beethoven, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure und Christophe Sirodeau
Mit Bernhard Lörcher, Violoncello
https://veranstaltungen.stadthalle-singen.de/... -
Sat20Apr20248:00 pmCultuurkapel Odulphus, Dendermonde, Belgien
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Fri03May20247:00 pmKonzerthaus Berlin - Kleiner Saal, Gendarmenmarkt 10117 Berlin
Pilgerjahre - C. Bechstein Klavierabend
Works by: Franz Liszt, Claude Debussy, Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin, Gabriel Fauré und Ferruccio Busoni.
Audio and Video
Hear Zassimova's Klavierfestival Ruhr debut, recorded for Deutschlandfunk
Anna Zassimova recordings
Assorted live and recorded works2003 - 2021
Recordings
Fryderyk Chopin
“Anna Zassimova not only plays Chopin, she brings him to life. A bit of a romantic image, admittedly, but this is what Zassimova’s playing evokes. Her Chopin is one without concessions, with all the passions, feelings of nostalgia and longing, joy, lust for life and then doubts. Her drive and empathy are supported by a fabulous technique and a colourful, varied light touch.” – Marjolijn Sengers LUISTER, NL
“Anna Zassimova brings imagination, marmoreal sound and searching intellect to her music-making… Her way with phrasing, rubato and silence, the lingered „speaking“ pauses and magically dissipated endings (something of a trademark), her nuancing of mood and atmosphere, weave spells and spin allusions. Poetics and pianism on a grand stage.” – International Piano Magazin, September 2023.
https://www.recordsinternational.com/…
George Catoire. String Quartet Op. 23, Piano Quintet Op. 28
“Every new CD by The Utrecht String Quartet contains a musical discovery. In Anna Zassimova, members of the USQ found a like-minded musician, whose recent book about the composer as well as her recordings of Catoire’s works created a renewed interest in the composer. This collaboration resulted in a valuable musical document that gives the listener a good idea of a particularly vivid music with a distinct character of its own.” – Marjolijn Sengers LUISTER, September 2023, NL
Clara Wieck, Brahms, Liszt, Schumann & Godowsky: Fantasiebilder aus Wien
„Anna Zassimova is once again able to create poetic pearls even out of the best known… Petrarch Sonnet and the Consolations by Liszt are just as captivating with their lucid agogic and finely nuanced touch as the Romances of the Schumanns or the Intermezzi by Brahms. Zassimova takes her time, grants quiet freedom. This opens the ears” – Piano News.
“Zassimova has a clever way of conveying controlled but pent-up passion. Her touch lingers on the notes so that each is sustained long enough to suggest that there is a complicated emotional current flowing just beneath the surface.” – presentarts.co.uk
Antonin Dvorak: Legends Op. 59, From the Bohemian Forest Op. 68.
Original version for piano four hands
A journey through the pastoral wonderland of Dvořák’s exquisite miniatures for piano duet, full of character and whimsical charm, passionate drama, vivid imagery, symbolism, and nostalgic atmosphere. These gems of the repertoire deserve to be better known, as they express in miniature the essence of Dvořák’s genius.
Sonata Reminiscenza
“Anna Zassimova successfully combines formidable technical abilities with poetic feeling in this program of rarely performed Russian piano pieces.” – Remy Franck, Pizzicato, Luxembourg
“Anna Zassimova posséde cette technique d’acier propre à l’école russe de piano mais aussi un toucher lumineux et subtil dans la lignée de Richter et Gilles“ – Arts, lettres et sciences, France. Octobre 2018, Nr. 738.
Vergessene Weisen (Forgotten Ways)
“Anna Zassimova is deeply enmeshed in the complex expressive worlds of these Russian piano works. The highly virtuosic, and at the same time expressive, performance of the native Moscovite is unmistakably from the Russian Piano School.” – Bayerische Rundfunk
“Anna Zassimova masterfully unfolds these miniatures in their brittle intimacy, with great understanding.” – FonoForum
Chopin - Late Works
“Every pianist plays Chopin at one time or the other as a rite of passage, but few have illuminated his sensibility as well as Richter, Lipatti, Rubinstein, Horowitz, Ashkenazy (especially in his earliest recordings) and most recently, Perahia and Kissin… Anna Zassimova is all about flow… a new force to be reckoned with. You’ll hear her gift instantly. She plays with a velvety, cushioned sound punctuated by crisp attacks in the main line, creating a dreamlike ambiance. ” – American Record Guide
Catoire - Works for Violin and Piano
“They do not just touch Catoire’s music with their fingertips, but also solve the works’ many expressive demands. It is a great posthumous fortune for the composer that he has found such a convincing advocate as Zassimova. Her comprehensive playing elicits the full range of fragile, delicate, stormy and pressing moods from the piano.” – Klassik.com
Tanejew - Piano Chamber Music
“Zassimova and her colleagues give as good a performance as you could wish, bold and Romantic, but also clear and precise. By a whisker then, this recording gets the top recommendation, even if Pletnev is relegated to second place with much reluctance. If you don’t countenance even the suspicion of Romantic excess, buy the Pletnev in preference to this. But whatever you do, buy at least one of them.” – Classical CD (UK)
Zassimova continues her project of repopularising lesser known Russian romantics with this superbly textured recording of Tanejew’s Quintet.
Brahms - Declaration of Love
“A deeply intelligent interpretation vacillating between vicious passions and intimate contemplation.” – Das Ensemble magazine
“Zassimova’s seamless phrasing and delicate, yet substantive touch to the “golden” tone of the period Beckstein piano, is distinctive.” – The Clarinet
Chopin - Mélodies polonaises Op. 74
“Irresistable!” – L’Education Musicale
“Anna Zassimova, a passionate pianist of Chopin, has a touch that is capable of elucidating all the pleasure to be found in these melodies, and shows a flexibility of play indispensable to their interpretation… played with virtuoso content, the piano Érard, an instrument pampered by the composer himself, takes the place of a true confidant, to reveal the happiest feelings as to deliver the darkest emotions.” – Res Musica
Georgy Catoire, Revived Masterpieces
World premiere recordings of some relevant Russian chamber works composed at the turn of the 20th Century by Georgy Catoire, performed by the Catoire Ensemble.
Catoire - Works for Voice and Piano
“Anna Zassimova has dedicated herself with passion and perseverance to this composer as a musicologist as well as a pianist. Her knowledge, art and love are audible. Yana Ivanilova, who has already recorded with Boris Berezovsky a beautiful record with songs by Nikolai Medtner, once again appears as master of the genre. Once again, this fine recording demonstrates the level of reflection and creative power Russian music reached just before the Communist revolution – at a rapid pace and extreme compression – and how closely it touches Western Europe.” – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Chopin - The Erard Recordings
“Chopin played on his favourite piano by a pianist who provides an empathy that is both convincing for the music of the composer and for the quality of the historical instrument.” – Bayerische Rundfunk
“The recording stands out from the multitude of comparable recordings due mainly to the nuanced contrasts of the pianist Anna Zassimova, who once again proves her excellence.” – Klavier.de
Georgy Catoire
Anna Zassimova’s academic work, beginning in 2000, and growing to her Doctorate, has been focussed on the popularisation and study of the Franco-Russian fin-de-siecle composer Georgy Catoire (Moscow 27 April 1861 – 21 May 1926).
Working with archives and libraries in Moscow and Berlin, and with the assistance of Catoire’s heirs in Germany, Russia and France, she wrote the first comprehensive, systematised analysis of the composer and his life. This book Georges Catoire – seine Musik, sein Leben, seine Ausstrahlung (Studia slavica musicologica, 49. Ernst Kuhn, Berlin, 2011) has been referenced extensively in journals including SEER at Oxford University, Music & Letters UK, Die Tonkunst, das Orchester, Neue Musik Zeitung and many others. She has also published texts on Catoire in German Tchaikovsky Society (2006) and editorials for Moscow State Pedagogical University (2001 and 2002).
Zassimova has worked with Catoire’s heirs to create recordings of all of the composer’s piano works (including many hitherto unperformed). Notably, she initiated and performed in the only existing recording of Catoire’s vocal works, “Poems for Voice and Piano” (with soprano Yana Ivanilova). Zassimova also recorded all Catoire’s works for Violine and piano with Laurent Breuninger (cpo/SWR).
Further solo piano works of Catoire appear on her album Sonata Reminiscenza.
The Catoire Music Initiative was founded in Hamburg in 2017.
Contact
For Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway & Sweden), the UK and Ireland please contact:
Gunnar Management Ltd.
10-12 Corporation Road, Newport, South Wales, NP19 0AR, United Kingdom
UK: +44 (0) 790 570 0846
Norway: +47 92288474
Greece: +30 6948750992
E-Mail: stromsholm.gunnar@gmail.com
Web: www.gunnarmanagement.com
Member of the International Artist Managers’ Association