Versus. Piano Concertos by Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky (Irena Portenko)

In her latest release VERSUS, world renowned pianist, Irena Portenko presents two seemingly contradicting ideas by two Russian composers, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. The two piano concerti, composed almost 50 years apart, demonstrate a difference in style - highs and lows, dissonance and consonance, darkness and radiance – and they interplay in terms of character, style, dramaturgy, and their effect of “sharing” space on this new recording.

Described by Fanfare as “A distinctive voice”, Ms. Portenko has performed under the batons of Kenneth Kiesler (USA), Rossen Milanov (Bulgaria-USA), Volodymyr Sirenko (Ukraine), Uwe Harrer (Austria), Allin Vlassenko (Ukraine) and Dai Uk Lee (Republic of Korea). As well as a recording artist, she is an avid chamber musician, performing worldwide; a passionate educator, teaching at Westchester Conservatory of Music (White Plains, NY); and director of the International Summer Music Program “Music in the Alps” (Austria).

Sergei Prokofiev

Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino-Allegretto 13:34

II. Scherzo: Vivace 2:56

III. Intermezzo: Allergro moderato 8:17

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso 12:26

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito 22:01

II. Andantino semplice – Allegro vivace assai/Prestissimo 6:51

III. Allegro con fuoco 7:10