Following the success of her debut album, 20th Century Russian Piano Sonatas in 2021, Anastasia Yasko continues her journey through the fascinating world of Russian piano sonatas of the twentieth century. For the second album, Anastasia has chosen three masterpieces of Russian piano literature that are less well-known but all the more impressive: Sergei Rachmaninoff’s first piano sonata, the second piano sonata by Dmitri Shostakovich and the third piano sonata by Dmitri Kabalevsky.

“Although the three piano sonatas I selected for this recording were all composed during the first half of the 20th century, each conveys a very different musical impression. Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich and Kabalevsky are three composers with their own personalities and distinctive compositional styles, and this diversity opens up three unique musical worlds. At the same time, the shared genre of the piano sonata provides us with an insight into the musical and cultural development of Russia and of the Soviet Union between 1908 and 1946. Dramaturgically, these works lead us through the uncertain and turbulent period between revolutions and the First World War, through the tragedy of the Second World War, and to a hopeful outlook on a 'bright future' in more peaceful times. For me, all three works are among the hidden treasures of the piano repertoire.”
Anastasia Yasko