Masquerade
Lola Astanova Queen of the Ivories Concours d Elegance Amelia Island
Vincent VanGogh The Immersive Experience Misha Levintas
Lola Astanova - Queen of the Ivories With her distinctive visual flair the celebrated piano virtuoso, Lola Astanova, inspires standing ovations from classic, and now, contemporary music lovers. Story by Terry Check If you were asked to describe a classical musician, you would probably describe an elderly man wearing a white shirt and dull gray suit. It seems unlikely that you would describe a beautiful young woman fashionably dressed to walk the runway during New York Fashion Week. Well, meet Lola Astanova, more rock star than classical musician. After studying the classics of Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven as a young child at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and performing recitals throughout Europe, the Soviet-born pianist was featured in the UNESCO documentary "Prodigies of the 20th Century". Since emigrating to the USA in 2003 she has performed many concerts and charitable galas. Her performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the All-Star Orchestra received the 2016 Emmy Award. In 2018 the formable piano and cello duo, Lola & Hauser, released several top-selling tracks of their renditions of Love story, Moonlight Sonata and La La Land. In the documentary film, The Journey to the Theatre of Silence, Astanova together with Grammy winning producer, David Foster, and world renown, Andrea Bocelli, performed a memorable outdoor concert receiving a standing ovation in Bocelli’s hometown, Lajatico, Italy. While captivating the audience with her performance charisma and fashion-forward appearance on stage, Astanova’s musical renditions have become her unmistakable trademark whether it is solo concerts, duets, or orchestral collaborations. Although the pandemic is still with us and her upcoming performances have been postponed, everyone can enjoy her music videos in social media at www.lolaastanova.com. Terry “I have been following your music since your 2012 Carnegie Hall debut. What were your thoughts before, during and after your performance?” Lola “It was hard not to get nervous as the date of the concert was approaching, but I tried not to dwell on it too much. Instead, I tried to enjoy it as much as I could, knowing that I have put in the work, and I am ready. So, when I stepped on that stage, it was an exhilarating moment, and the concert went very well. I was happy with my performance and the response from the audience was just extraordinary. I do
Alexey Olivenko do not think I ever received more flowers and gifts than that day. One of the fans even commissioned a huge painting of me by the piano, which was delivered backstage. It was the moment of pure joy and gratitude. And afterwards, it was impossible not to reflect on this journey from my first piano lesson at the age of six to that final chord and applause at the most famous classical hall in the world.” Terry “Your Emmy Award winning performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is simply outstanding. How were
you selected to perform? Were you allowed creative interpretation of the music or did the music director, Gerard Schwarz, set the creative interpretation?” Lola “The project was Gerard Schwarz’s brainchild, and he reached out to me asking which concert I would prefer to record together. I thought that doing a concerto by my favorite American composer would be a great choice for a collaboration with this truly all-star American orchestra. Beyond that, it is always the soloist’s vision that leads a performance. The orchestra is there to support and add colors, and they were a pleasure to work with, but the key artistic choices are always up to the soloist.” Terry ““The Journey to the Theatre of Silence” is an amazing musical journey with Andrea Bocelli, Davis Foster, and yourself. Share your experience collaborating with Andrea and David.” Lola “Being with Andrea in his native Italy and sharing the stage at the Theatre of Silence was a singular experience on many levels. It’s a unique venue that looks and feels as if Andrea’s dream had come alive for one incredible summer night: the music, the stage lights, the starry sky above and thousands of people in the audience all surrounded by the rolling hills of Tuscany. It was magical, and we simply wanted to capture this moment and give a little glimpse of it to everyone who could not be there.” Terry “With no or limited live performances during the pandemic, you have a unique time in your life for personal reflection and creativity. Share your heart and soul of current activities. Lola “I think it is critical for all of us to try to stay positive, mentally, and physically active, and try not to fall into depression over everything that has been happening this year. That is how I have approached this surreal time. I have used it to improve, develop and grow, and I am looking ahead with hope.
Alexey Olivenko
T e r r y Nan c y E l l i s onPol ar i s