IRINA ZAHHARENKOVA

PIANO, HARPSICHORD

Pianist, harpsichordist and fortepiano-player... winner of several international piano competitions...

Biography

Irina Zahharenkova was born 23.02.76 in Kaliningrad, Russia. 1991–95 studied at Tallinn Georg Ots Music College in Estonia (Prof Mare Ots), 1995–2000 – at Estonian Academy of Music (piano: Prof Lilian Semper; harpsichord: Prof Maris Valk-Falk).
In 2003 obtained master’s degree at the Estonian Academy of Music (piano: Prof L Semper) and is currently to continuing doctor-studies with the same professor. Since 2002 student at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland (Prof Hui-Ying Liu-Tawaststjerna). Has participated in numerous workshops, among others: S Kovachevich, A Hewitt, A Schiff, V Merzhanov, H Dreyfus, P Hantai.

Has been prize-winner in several music competitions:

  • 2003 – II prize and special prize for interpretation of M K Čiurlionis’ works in M K Čiurlionis International Piano Competition, Lithuania
  • 2004 – I prize, audience prize and special prize for interpretation of compulsory contemporary piece in “Premio Jaén” International Piano Competition, Spain
  • 2004 – III prize in “Festival van Vlaanderen” International Pianoforte Competition, Belgium
  • 2005 – II prize, special prize for interpretation of French music and special prize for interpretation of contemporary music in Epinal International Piano Competition, France
  • 2005 – III prize and special prize for interpretation of compulsory contemporary piece in “Prague Spring” International Harpsichord Competition, Czech Republic
  • 2005 – I prize and special prize for interpretation of G Enescu’s Sonata in G Enescu International Piano Competition, Romania
  • 2005 – III prize in Geneva International Piano Competition in Switzerland
  • 2006 – I prize, special prize for interpretation of Mozart’s sonata and special prize for interpretation of A Casagrande’s works in Alessandro Casagrande International Piano Competition, Italy
  • 2006 – I prize and audience prize in J S Bach International Piano Competition, Leipzig, Germany
  • 2006 – IV prize in Villa-Lobos International Piano Competition, Brasil

Have given recitals and performed with orchestras in Estonia, Finland, Spain, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, etc. Also acting as harpsichord and fortepiano (Hammerklavier) soloist as well as continuo-player in various orchestras and Baroque ensembles.

 

Press resonance

Neutral choice of media reviews about the performances Irina Zahharenkova:

  • This young pianist, born in 1976, is the tenth woman that wins this competition and the first Estonian who does it. /.../ The Jury of the competition, under the chairmanship of Guillermo González, has awarded her with the first prize because of her performance of Chopin’s Concierto número 1 en mi menor, Opus 11. This first prize consists on € 18,000, a three concerts tour in Andalusia, and a gold medal. The Estonian pianist has also received another two of the six awards of the competition. She has been awarded with the ‘Música Contemporánea’ prize (€ 3000) for her performance of Marina, by Eneko Vadillo Pérez; and she has received the ‘Trofeo del Público’ award, given by the public that attended the final. (Goldberg, Spain, whole article)

  • Irina Zahharenkova si è rivelata una pianista di grande originalità, che alla solidità pianistica unisce una espressività musicalmente matura e in grado di suscitare emozioni. Un pianismo ‘dalle tinte nordiche’ di grande intensità comunicativa. (RAI, Filodiffusione, Italia, whole article)

  • Irina Zahharenkova äratas laiemat tähelepanu kuuendal Eesti pianistide konkursil aastal 2002, saades diplomi, kuid võites paljude kuulajate ülima poolehoiu. Virtuoosse “konkursipianismi” seest tõusis Zahharenkova tol korral esile plastilise meloodiakujunduse ja väga orgaanilise muusikatunnetusega. /.../ Interpeedi tormiline areng võistlusatmosfääris on ootuspärane, aga samas ka üllatav. Täna esindab Zahharenkova üsna ekstravagantset, lausa eksperimenteerivat klaverimängu, mida tavaliselt harrastavad mõneti blaseerunud, uudsusi otsivad ning tehniliselt enesekindlad lavahundid. (Evi Arujärv, Postimees, Estonia)

  • ...malbe olemisega nooruke pianist, on kaugel enese eksponeerimisest. Kuid sellest hoolimata äratab tema konkursivõitude nimekiri aukartust. Viimaste aastate jooksul on ta neid kinni pannud tervelt üheksa. Seejuures tundub, nagu teeks ta seda ülimalt lõdva randmega. Möödub kuu ja tuleb jälle teade, millise prestiižse konkursi see Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia doktorant on ära võitnud. (Brigitta Davidjants, Eesti Ekspress, Estonia, whole article)

  • Žürii jäägitult üksmeelsel otsusel (ajakirjandus pidas vajalikuks seda rõhutada!) läks peapreemia Irina Zahharenkovale, kes oma ülipeene ja tundliku mänguga lummas arvukat publikut ning võlus välja spontaanse, marulise ja uskumatult pika aplausi. (Muusika, Estonia, whole article)

  • ... kontserdil kandis kõik 30 Goldbergi variatsiooni klaveril ette rohkelt klaverimängu preemiatega pärjatud pianist... On tähelepanuväärne, et Zahharenkova mängis poolteist tundi puhkepausideta ja tema esituses ei ilmnenud peaaegu mingeid väsimuse märke – variatsioonid kõlasid meisterlikult, nii et küllap oleks unetu krahv Keyserling nendega A.D. 2008 Tartu Jaani kirikus ilma Goldbergitagi rahule jäänud. (Kaur Garšnek & Katrin Parbus, Sirp, 01.08.08, Estonia, whole article)

 

Main repertoire

Johann Sebastian Bach: 3-part inventions BWV 787–801
Johann Sebastian Bach: English Suite No 2 in A minor BWV 807
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No 4 in D major BWV 828
Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations in G major BWV 988
Domenico Scarlatti: Sonatas
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in D major KV 576
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No 9 in E-flat major KV 271
Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor, Op 11
Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto in F minor
Fryderyk Chopin: Preludes
Claude Debussy: Suite Bergamasque
Maurice Ravel

Download: J S Bach. English suite No 2, fragm, 108 sec, mp3, 2158 KB
Download: L van Beethoven. Sonata in E major, live, fragm, 127 sec, mp3, 2747 KB

Download: Irina Zahharenkova, photo by P Vähi, jpg, 300 dpi, 2445 KB

Worldwide management by ERP from Nov 2006. Please contact.

See also other artists of classical music represented by ERP

© ERP
All rights reserved. Texts and photos from this website can be used without special permission for non-commercial purposes only. Reference to the author and source (www.erpmusic.com) is obligatory.