New talent Ivana Gavrić promises much

A one-to-watch pianist Ivana Gavrić’s solo recital of works from Schubert, List, Janáček, Rachmaninov may be emotionally cool, but her talent promises much

Composer: Schubert, List, Janáček, Rachmaninov 
Repertoire: Piano Works 
Artists: Ivana Gavrić (pf)
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Instrumental 
Label: Champs Hill Recordings CHRCD 009

The Music Schubert’s passionate A minor Sonata is well complemented and contrasted by the intense poetry of Janáček (In the Mists), Liszt (Tre sonetti di Petrarca) and Rachmaninov (Preludes Op.23/4 & 32/5 and Moments Musicaux Op.16/3 &4). This is music for a pianist’s pianist: superb works revered by most pianophiles. 

The Performance British pianist Ivana Gavrić has a fine musical pedigree. Her playing is classy, navigating a fine path between virtuosity, poetry, structural awareness and idiomatic style. There’s a velvety lyricism to her Liszt and she’s fearsome in the Schubert. Still, I missed an extra edge of emotional involvement: all this music requires enhanced philosophical intensity, colouristic imagination and projection of contrasts, but the Janáček comes over as rather matter-of-fact. 

The Verdict A promising debut from a pianist I’ll certainly watch out for in future.