Anna Gourari

Anna Gourari (Russian "Анна Гурари" born 3 October 1972 in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia) is a classical concert pianist.

She received her first piano education at the age of five by her parents, professors at Kazan Academy of Music. In 1979 she performed her first public concert. From this year onwards she studied at further renowned piano schools and famous piano tutors. Anna Gourari quickly made herself known by winning important competitions.

* 1986 1st prize at Kabalevsky competition in Russia
* 1989 1st prize at First International Chopin competition in Göttingen.

In 1990 she relocated together with her parents to Germany for studying at Hochschule für Musik in Munich.

In 1994 she won the First International Clara-Schumann-Klavierconcours in Düsseldorf.

This prize marks the begin of her international acceptance. As of that year, Gourari plays a significant role in the international concert scene. She performs often together with leading orchestras under conductors like Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, etc.

In 2001 she played a star role in the movie "InVincible" by Werner Herzog.

Gourari is regarded as a non-conformist. Her playing has some kind of mysticism, but is most notably very accurate. She, herself, has criticised other pianists because of their softish and imprecise style.

Discography

* Chopin (Piano Sonata No.3, Mazurkas) - 1998
* Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin (Preludes) - 1999
* Richard Strauss (Piano Concertos for the Left Hand) with Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher - 2001
* Chopin (Scherzi etc.) - 2001
* Beethoven (Piano Concerto No.3, Sonata No. 8, c-minor, "Pathétique", 32 Variations) with Staatskapelle Dresden, Sir Colin Davis - 2001 (Cover with movie scene)
* Nocturnes - 2003
* Desir (Scriabin, Gubaidulina) - 2005

External links

* http://www.gourari.com official website
* http://members.aol.com/schumannga/1ccs.htm live recording at Clara Schumann competition