-‘MEET THE ARTIST’ Interview (The Cross-Eyed Pianist, October 2024) – click here to read full interview

CD ‘Variations’ (Rubicon Classics RCD1197):

‘Any striking variation set demands from its interpreter a rainbow of poetic and coloristic imagination – and the technique to bring those ideas to life. The demands
multiply with seven such pieces, leading to a CD-length album with 44 tracks. Yet Joanna Kacperek – a young Polish pianist, now based in London – has chosen well for this impressive debut album, and finds something individual in each track without resort to eccentricity.
Schumann’s variations on the Allegretto from Beethoven’s Seventh put a familiar theme through unfamiliar paces; Claras variations on a theme by Robert seem to draw on both of their creative reserves, inspired by the example of Beethoven no less than Brahms (or, much later, Dutilleux). Beethoven himself forms the fitting centrepiece of the sequence – in another lesser-known example of his variation genius, the Op 34 set. Kacperck is as grave and gentle here as she is lucid and carefree in Chaminade’s Thème varie, making light of some taxing demands.’ – Peter Quantrill, ‘Pianist’ (October-November 2024)

‘I thought I knew my way around most of Schumann’s piano music, but I don’t think I’ve previously encountered his Études in Variation Form on a Theme by Beethoven, Wo031, based on the Allegretto from the Seventh Symphony […] It is the opening item on Joanna Kacperek’s album and it makes a fascinating start to an attractively planned recital of variations. After her excellent performance of the Schumann variations, Kacperek turns to Clara Schumann’s Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op 20, and Brahms’s Theme and Variations, Op 18b (a transcription of the slow movement of the Second String Sextet in B flat, Op 18), both done with great sensitivity. Beethoven’s Op 34 Variations, composed in 1802 on an original theme, are followed by the Thème varié, Op 89, by Cécile Chaminade, published in 1898, a characteristically attractive and well-written example of her work. Chopin’s 1833 Variations brillantes, Op 12, based on a theme from Hérold’s opera Ludovic, may not be his most searching work but it is still worthy of revival, and Kacperek’s performance is a fine one.’ – Nigel Simeone, ‘International Piano‘ (Winter 2024 issue)

‘PIANIST JOANNA KACPEREK PRODUCES A CAPTIVATING ALBUM WITH VARIATIONS‘

‘…On this album, Kacperek artfully displays the creative possibilities of these variations, which were a way of exploring a theme for these composers, often not their own, and taking it to the next sublime level. […] To hear Beethoven’s solemn theme being repeatedly played and tweaked and then transformed by Schumann, is a thrill and gives the much-loved Beethoven melody a new mesmeric quality.
Clara Schumann’s variations meanwhile, celebrate the rich relationship (musical and emotional) she enjoyed with her husband, Robert. These intimate variations reveal every facet of their emotional life; joy, pain, yearning, eventually unfolding into a marvellous resolution where gratitude seems the overriding emotion.’ – Karine Hetherington, ArtMuse London (click here to read full review and interview)

‘A scintillating display of dexterity and style with four Sonatas by the ‘Spanish’Scarlatti -Antonio Soler. He wrote 471 Sonatas rarely heard and so it was refreshing to hear four of them played with vibrant rhythmic energy and crisp delicate passage work shaped by a true musician as you might expect from the school of Norma Fisher.
An eclectic choice of programme too with Schubert’s rarely heard B major Sonata given a reading of both beauty and intelligence. Chopin’s Rondo op 5 was played by a native who brought Chopins early sparkling rondo vividly to life with irresistible charm,grace and scintillating virtuosity.
Scriabin’s two movement Fantasy Sonata was played with sumptuous colour and a sense of line that gave great coherence to this ravishing early work of Scriabin.The second movement was played with passion and great technical flair by this beautiful young Polish but Ealing based pianist.’ – Christopher Axworthy (click here to read the full review).