Acclaimed Signum artist Alexandra Dariescu brings a new combination of concertos: Clara Schumann’s Concerto in A minor Op. 7 coupled with Grieg’s A minor concerto Op. 16. Alexandra Dariescu is a trailblazing pianist who demonstrates fearless curiosity and ground-breaking innovation. As part of her artistic journey, Dariescu has achieved gender equality in her concerto programming for three consecutive seasons, reviving and premiering important works by both male and female composers, championing inclusion and diversity. “I got to know Clara Schumann’s Concerto and fell in love with this youthful piece, full of dreams, fiendish virtuosity and a testament to what an innovative performer and composer Clara was, even as a teenager. [Recording these works] It made me realise once again what a responsibility we all have to show both sides of history, to mirror our society in concert programmes and to shine a light on the often-overlooked brilliance of women composers” – Alexandra Dariescu.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK “Brilliantly performed” – Scala Radio
ALBUM OF THE WEEK “A great performance…such a great listen. An exception recording” – Classic FM
“[Schumann] A thoughtful and polished guide to this youthful, virtuosic concerto and her approach is hand-in-glove with conductor Tianyi-Lu…[Grieg] There’s an authority and natural ease to her performance, matched by some lovely playing from the Philharmonia” – BBC Music Magazine
“Dariescu sails through the more virtuosic moments of the Schumann with confidence and agility…she has a ‘sensitivity and ear for colour’ which shows up in the way she handles filigree and, even more, in the seductive way she coaxes out the quieter passages. The Romance at the centre of the Schumann, especially its closely measures, is exquisitely fine-spun; the opening of the Adagio of the Grieg is similarly alluring.” – Gramophone
“Dariescu succeeds in holding her own in the demanding piano part…enthusiastic and sublime in the Maestoso and [In the finale] an energetic tour de force…really exciting…brava!” – Piano News