Génia
Encyclopedia
GéNIA is a London
-based Russian virtuoso concert pianist
. She was born in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine
into a family of musicians and scientists. Her repertoire ranges from classical music to contemporary works and multimedia projects.
and pedagogue Regina Horowitz (sister of pianist Vladimir Horowitz
and wife of the Soviet economist Evsei Liberman
). She continued her studies with pianist and teacher Sergei Yushkevitch at the Kharkov Institute of Arts.
In 1999 she graduated from Guildhall School of Music earning the Premier Prix. She went on to graduate from Trinity College of Music
in 2000, studying with Professor Joan Havill and Douglas Finch where she was runner-up in the TCM Associate Soloist Competition and awarded the Founders Prize for Excellence. In the same year she was awarded the Silver Medal Award from the Worshipful Company of Musicians
and the Dame Myra Hess Award.
.
She has extensively toured the UK, Europe, and the United States. Her London appearances include the Wigmore Hall
, Barbican Centre
, South Bank Centre
, St Martin-in-the-Fields
, Olympia London
and Cargo. She appeared as soloist on soundtracks for the award-winning films "Bookcruncher" and "Paradise Grove". Her recordings and interviews have also featured in various broadcasts on BBC Radio
1, 3, 4, 5 and BBC 4 Proms. She has received critical acclaim for her live performances and contemporary classical releases for Black Box
and Nonclassical
.
She also undertakes educational work and regularly holds workshops and master-classes, lectures and individual tuition. She has taught at Trinity College of Music
, Dartington International Summer School and COMA Summer Schools, De Montfort University
and Lewis University
and CAPMT (USA).
In 2007, GéNIA created Piano-Yoga, a multi-dimensional method of piano playing, performing and teaching which provides a holistic approach towards playing the piano. Her book on Piano-Yoga was published in 2009.
In 2008 she was appointed Artist in Residence at Bauer & Hieber Music, London where she launched a series of workshops and masterclasses and runs GéNIA MUSIC Piano School.
and is released by Nonclassical
and distributed by Naxos
in America. Its UK release is scheduled for the 6th September 2010.
"Suite For Piano And Electronics", GéNIA/John Richards
, was released in 2007 on the Nonclassical label. It featured re-mixes by dance producers The EarlyMan, Max de Wardener, kREEPA
, Gabriel Prokofiev, Derailer, Trevor Goodchilde, Germ and Vex'd
.
In 2000, she released GéNIA: Unveiled interpreting the works of 4 Russian women composers spanning 4 generations: Sofia Gubaidulina
, Galina Ustvolskaya
, Elena Firsova
, and Lena Langer.
In 1999, she released Transformations, with the Russian violinist Roman Mints.
, Nik Bärtsch
, John Richards (musician)
, Gabriel Prokofiev
, Karen Tanaka
.
In 2003, she was involved in Contemporary Infrasonic at the Southbank Centre, an experimental project into the effect of infrasound
(ultra-low-frequency at or below the bottom of the frequency range audible to the human ear) using a grand piano.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based Russian virtuoso concert pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. She was born in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
into a family of musicians and scientists. Her repertoire ranges from classical music to contemporary works and multimedia projects.
Education
She started her studies at the age of four with her great-grandmother, the pianistPianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and pedagogue Regina Horowitz (sister of pianist Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
and wife of the Soviet economist Evsei Liberman
Evsei Liberman
Evsei Liberman was a Soviet economist who lived in Kharkiv .He was a teacher at the Kharkiv Institute of Peoples Econome, the Kharkiv Institute of Engineering and Economy and the University of Kharkiv....
). She continued her studies with pianist and teacher Sergei Yushkevitch at the Kharkov Institute of Arts.
In 1999 she graduated from Guildhall School of Music earning the Premier Prix. She went on to graduate from Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
in 2000, studying with Professor Joan Havill and Douglas Finch where she was runner-up in the TCM Associate Soloist Competition and awarded the Founders Prize for Excellence. In the same year she was awarded the Silver Medal Award from the Worshipful Company of Musicians
Worshipful Company of Musicians
The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its history dates back to at least 1350. Originally a specialist guild for musicians, its role became an anachronism in the 18th century, when the centre of music making in London moved from the City to the...
and the Dame Myra Hess Award.
Career
Her first significant break was being selected as an artist for the Park Lane Young Artist Series, making her London debut in 1998 where she was described by The Times as "an outstanding musician". She later went on to tour the UK, Europe, and the United States performing with the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine and Cyprus State Orchestra and playing at the Windsor FestivalWindsor Festival
The Windsor Festival was founded in 1969 with Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Hunter as Artistic Directors and Laurence West as Executive Chairman. The original idea for the Festival was put forward by Ian Hunter to the Dean of Windsor in 1968 based around the participation of the Menuhin Festival Orchestra...
.
She has extensively toured the UK, Europe, and the United States. Her London appearances include the Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall is a leading international recital venue that specialises in hosting performances of chamber music and is best known for classical recitals of piano, song and instrumental music. It is located at 36 Wigmore Street, London, UK and was built to provide London with a venue that was both...
, Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
, South Bank Centre
South Bank Centre
Southbank Centre is a complex of artistic venues in London, UK, on the South Bank of the River Thames between County Hall and Waterloo Bridge. It comprises three main buildings , and is Europe’s largest centre for the arts. It attracts more than three million visitors annually...
, St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.-Roman era:Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410...
, Olympia London
Olympia, London
Olympia is an exhibition centre and conference centre in West Kensington, on the boundary between The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W14 8UX, England. It opened in the 19th century and was originally known as the National Agricultural Hall.Opened in 1886,...
and Cargo. She appeared as soloist on soundtracks for the award-winning films "Bookcruncher" and "Paradise Grove". Her recordings and interviews have also featured in various broadcasts on BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
1, 3, 4, 5 and BBC 4 Proms. She has received critical acclaim for her live performances and contemporary classical releases for Black Box
Black box
A black box is a device, object, or system whose inner workings are unknown; only the input, transfer, and output are known characteristics.The term black box can also refer to:-In science and technology:*Black box theory, a philosophical theory...
and Nonclassical
Nonclassical
Nonclassical is an independent record label and club-night founded in 2003 by the composer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev.The name 'Nonclassical' is derived from the label's approach to classical music...
.
She also undertakes educational work and regularly holds workshops and master-classes, lectures and individual tuition. She has taught at Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
, Dartington International Summer School and COMA Summer Schools, De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
and Lewis University
Lewis University
Lewis University is a private Roman Catholic and Lasallian university located in Romeoville, Illinois, United States . The enrollment is currently around 6,800 students...
and CAPMT (USA).
In 2007, GéNIA created Piano-Yoga, a multi-dimensional method of piano playing, performing and teaching which provides a holistic approach towards playing the piano. Her book on Piano-Yoga was published in 2009.
In 2008 she was appointed Artist in Residence at Bauer & Hieber Music, London where she launched a series of workshops and masterclasses and runs GéNIA MUSIC Piano School.
Music
Her latest CD, "Piano Book No.1", is a suite of piano pieces composed by Gabriel ProkofievNonclassical
Nonclassical is an independent record label and club-night founded in 2003 by the composer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev.The name 'Nonclassical' is derived from the label's approach to classical music...
and is released by Nonclassical
Nonclassical
Nonclassical is an independent record label and club-night founded in 2003 by the composer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev.The name 'Nonclassical' is derived from the label's approach to classical music...
and distributed by Naxos
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
in America. Its UK release is scheduled for the 6th September 2010.
"Suite For Piano And Electronics", GéNIA/John Richards
John Richards
John Richards may refer to:*John Richards , Irish judge*John Richards , Bishop of St David's*John Richards , Bishop of Ebbsfleet...
, was released in 2007 on the Nonclassical label. It featured re-mixes by dance producers The EarlyMan, Max de Wardener, kREEPA
KREEPA
kREEPA are a group that perform electronic music and musical improvisation founded by John Richards and Hilary Jeffery in 2000. The group performs a type of industrial jazz and electro-noise.-Career:...
, Gabriel Prokofiev, Derailer, Trevor Goodchilde, Germ and Vex'd
Vex'd
Vex'd are a British Dubstep duo signed to Planet Mu Records consisting of Jamie Teasdale and Roly Porter. As of 2010 they have released 2 full albums, as well as several EPs and singles.-Singles:* "Function" * "Lion/Ghost"...
.
In 2000, she released GéNIA: Unveiled interpreting the works of 4 Russian women composers spanning 4 generations: Sofia Gubaidulina
Sofia Gubaidulina
Sofia Asgatovna Gubaidulina, is a Russian composer of half Russian, half Tatar ethnicity.Gubaidulina's music is marked by the use of unusual instrumental combinations...
, Galina Ustvolskaya
Galina Ustvolskaya
Galina Ivanovna Ustvolskaya, also Ustwolskaja or Oustvolskaia was a Russian composer of classical music.-Early years:From 1937 to 1947 she studied at the college attached to the Leningrad Conservatory . She subsequently became a postgraduate student and taught composition at the college...
, Elena Firsova
Elena Firsova
Elena Olegovna Firsova is a Russian composer.-Life:She was born in Leningrad into the family of physicists Oleg Firsov and Viktoria Lichko. She studied music in Moscow with Alexander Pirumov, Yuri Kholopov, Edison Denisov and Philip Herschkowitz...
, and Lena Langer.
In 1999, she released Transformations, with the Russian violinist Roman Mints.
Collaborations
She commissions works particularly developing the repertoire for piano and electronics, and collaborated with an eclectic range of artists and composers including Patrick NunnPatrick Nunn
Patrick Nunn , is a British composer and educator.-Biography:Nunn read music at Dartington College of Arts studying under Frank Denyer between 1988 and 1991 taking additional tuition with Louis Andriessen at Dartington International Summer School and with Gary Carpenter at the Welsh College of...
, Nik Bärtsch
Nik Bärtsch
Nik Bärtsch is a Swiss pianist, composer and producer from Zurich. He lives in Zurich and Berlin. He began studying piano and percussion at the age of 8. In 1997 he graduated from the Musikhochschule Zürich. Between the years of 1989 and 2001 he studied philosophy, linguistics and musicology at...
, John Richards (musician)
John Richards (musician)
John Stephen Richards is a musician and composer working in the field of electronic music. Since 1999, he has predominantly explored performing with self-made instruments and creating interactive environments for composition....
, Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer and record producer based in England. He was born to an English mother and Russian father, and is the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev...
, Karen Tanaka
Karen Tanaka
-Biography:Karen Tanaka was born in Tokyo, Japan where she started piano and composition lessons as a child. After studying composition with Akira Miyoshi and piano with Nobuko Amada at Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, she moved to Paris in 1986 with the aid of a French Government Scholarship...
.
In 2003, she was involved in Contemporary Infrasonic at the Southbank Centre, an experimental project into the effect of infrasound
Infrasound
Infrasound is sound that is lower in frequency than 20 Hz or cycles per second, the "normal" limit of human hearing. Hearing becomes gradually less sensitive as frequency decreases, so for humans to perceive infrasound, the sound pressure must be sufficiently high...
(ultra-low-frequency at or below the bottom of the frequency range audible to the human ear) using a grand piano.
Discography
- Piano Book No.1, GeNIA/Gabriel Prokofiev, released on CD, Nonclassical (America), 2009
- Suite For Piano And Electronics, GéNIA/John Richards, released on CD, Nonclassical, 2007
- Suite For Piano And Electronics, GéNIA/John Richards, released on Vinyl, Nonclassical, 2007
- GéNIA: Unveiled - Music from Russia's Women Composers", Black Box, 2000
- Transformations - 20th Century works for violin and piano, Roman Mints - violin, GéNIA - Piano, Black Box, 1999
Multimedia
- Audio: BBC Radio 4 Today programme report on Russian "Old New Year" 2008 at Fifth Floor Bar, Harvey Nichols featuring GéNIA
- Video: Interview on BBC4 Proms 2007 featuring GéNIA and Gabriel Prokofiev