WINDHOEK– A delightful evening of Romantic piano tunes awaits patrons of the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) when well-known Russian pianist, Katya Grineva features tomorrow night.
Katya was born in Moscow and began studying piano at the age of six. She attended her musical school at the Moscow Music School. She further went on to the Moscow High School of Music under the sponsorship of the prestigious Moscow Conservatory where she studied with Professor Pavel Messner. It was during her tutelage with Maestro Messner, that Katya began giving recitals and experiencing the “special and spontaneous” interaction between artist and audience that would become the hallmark of her performances.
Moving to New York City in 1989, Katya had two goals, to study in America and one day, to play in Carnegie Hall. She made her American debut by performing in the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-Flat, k. 595 with the Baltimore Symphony, and ever since, she has been showing no intent of stopping. Her first performance in Carnegie Hall was on May 13, 1998, and completed her 7th season at the world famous hall (Carnegie) on May 12, 2005.
Living most of her adult life in New York City, she acquired a reputation as a pianist of exceptional romantic/poetic expression. Commentators agree that Katya achieves her impact at the piano more through subtlety rather than by force. Above all, she values the beauty of tone. She stresses suppleness and a natural approach to the keyboard. Her interpretation and mastery of the piano can be summed up by the following: “with Katya you sink into the sweet abyss of the music…”
Currently she has for CDs: From Katya with Love, Katya from the Heart, Katya…Inspiration Bleu, and Love and Fire. Katya’s future plans include touring major concert venues around the world including Namibia. Tickets for the show cost N$ 105 each and show starts at eight O’clock (20h00).
By Pinehas Nakaziko