Ingrid Fliter’s Chopin recital marks EMI Classics debut

Ingrid Fliter, the sensational Argentine pianist and winner of the prestigious Gilmore Award, has recorded her debut CD, a Chopin recital, under an exclusive contract with EMI Classics. The repertoire features the Sonata No. 3 Op. 58, Fantasie-impromptu Op. 66, Waltzes Op 18 ‘Grand valse brilliante’ and Op. 64 Nos. 1-3, Barcarolle Op. 60, Mazurkas Op. 59 Nos. 1-3, and Ballade No. 4 in F minor Op 52.

In January 2008, in anticipation of the physical release of the CD, EMI made available a selection of works from the new album in the form of an exclusive digital download EP (Barcarolle Op 60; Mazurkas Op 59 Nos 1-3; Impromptu in C sharp minor; Waltz Op 64 No1.) Simultaneously with the release of the physical CD, a second digital download will be made available containing the balance of the album repertoire (Sonata No 3 Op 58; Waltz Op 18; Ballade No 4; Waltzes Op 64 Nos 2 & 3; Preludes Op 28 nos 15 & 17).

Ingrid Fliter’s career has taken off dramatically since she received the 2006 Gilmore Artist Award, made every four years by an anonymous panel of judges who have assessed a number of pianists over a period of time without their knowledge. The recipient must not only be an exceptional pianist with great charisma but must also possess a broad and profound musicianship. “With a world of pianists to choose from,” commented the Gilmore’s Director Daniel R. Gustin, “we spent over two years listening to many greatly talented artists, but in the end we were unanimously swept away by Ingrid Fliter’s astonishing pianist prowess and her overall musicianship.” The $300,000 Gilmore Award is the most generous financial support given in the musical arts. The four previous Gilmore Award winners include EMI Classics artists Leif Ove Andsnes (2002) and Piotr Anderszewski (1998).

Ingrid Fliter grew up in Argentina, where she studied with Elizabeth Westerkamp and made recital and orchestral debuts at the ages of 11 and 16 respectively. After winning a number of competitions in Argentina and at the suggestion of Martha Argerich, Ingrid moved to Europe in 1992. She continued her studies in Freiburg, Rome and Imola and went on to win a number of competitions, including the silver medal at the 2000 Frederic Chopin Competition in Warsaw. She has taken part in masterclasses with Leon Fleischer, Alexander Lonquich and Louis Lortie and continues to receive musical support and artistic advice from Zoltán Kocsis.

The music of Chopin runs deep in Ingrid Fliter’s veins. Her parents met over Chopin waltzes and Ingrid grew up listening to Arthur Rubinstein’s Chopin recordings. Today, she programmes the composer’s scores regularly in her recitals and performs his second piano concerto to critical acclaim: “[Her] Chopin group was simply spellbinding. The music seemed to flow from her with an utterly natural lyrical impulse, graced with power, luminous delicacy and a spectrum of tonal coloring that combined to mark her out as one of the most instinctive and eloquent Chopin interpreters playing today.” (The Telegraph)

Ingrid Fliter signed an exclusive contract with EMI Classics in June 2007, at the conclusion of a season that saw her debuts at the Hollywood Bowl (with the Los Angeles Philharmonic) and with the Detroit Symphony and National Arts Centre orchestras. During the same season, she performed recitals in San Francisco, Chicago, New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall.

In 2007/2008, Fliter plays Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in the U.S., Europe and Israel, as well as concertos by Beethoven, Mozart and Schumann. She makes orchestral debuts with the Cincinnati, Washington National, St. Louis, Dallas and Toronto symphonies, with the Rotterdam and Royal Liverpool philharmonics and the Gulbenkian Orchestra. She also tours Spain with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and performs recitals in Vancouver, Chicago, London, Japan, Barcelona and Lisbon.

In September 2007, Ingrid Fliter was added to the roster of BBC’s New Generation Artists scheme for a period of two years during which she will appear with many of the BBC’s orchestras and participate in some of the UK’s most prominent festivals, including the City of London Festival and the BBC Proms.


“…an exciting technique and keen intelligence animated by an impetuous temperament…a remarkable talent.” (The New York Times)


Tracklisting (not final running order):

CHOPIN
Barcarolle Op 60
Mazurkas Op 59 Nos 1-3
Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op. posth. (first version of Fantaisie-impromptu Op.66)
Waltz Op 64 No1
Sonata No 3 Op 58 ’
Waltz Op 18
Ballade No 4
Waltzes Op 64 Nos 2 & 3
Preludes Op 28 nos 15 & 17

Digital bonus tracks exclusive to iTunes: Sontata No 3 Op 58; Waltz Op 18; Ballade No 4; Waltzes Op 64 Nos 2 & 3; Preludes Op 28 Nos 15 & 17; Piazzolla: Adios Nonino