Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Oksana Shymanska
THE RELEASE
Ukrainian pianist Oksana Shymanska, born in Lviv in 1987, is an emerging virtuoso who embarked on her auditory excursion under the guidance of Tetyana Aleksandrova and Lyudmila Zakopets at the Solomia Krushelnytska Municipal Lyceum of Music. She honed her craft, achieving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Piano Performance at the National Academy of Music in Lviv by 2009. Embracing an insatiable quest for musical growth, she pursued further studies in Catalonia, obtaining a second master's degree in Spanish music performance at the Marshall Academy in Barcelona under the mentorship of Carlota Garriga. Oksana has been enriched by the wisdom imparted in master classes by luminaries such as Maria João Pires, Luis Fernando Pérez, Marta Zabaleta, Narcís Bonet, and Volodymyr Vinnytskiy. Her musical footprint spans numerous international classical music festivals across Ukraine, Catalonia, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Travessia marks the debut album of the immensely talented pianist Oksana Shymanska. This profound musical collection is a testament to her exploration of works by Catalan composers spanning different eras. Published by the esteemed record label Protomaterial Records, the album is meticulously curated to serve as a seminal repository showcasing the rich stylistic diversity of Catalan solo piano music. The compositions featured in the album, including masterpieces by Antoni Soler, Isaac Albéniz, Enric Granados, Xavier Montsalvatge, and Joan Arnau Pàmies, were recorded at the Enric Granados Municipal Auditorium in Lleida, Spain. Notably, this production was led by the accomplished musician and composer Joan Arnau Pàmies, with collaborations from sound engineer Alfons Pérez, piano technician Daniel Julián Ramacciotti, and mastering engineer Chris Mercer, culminating in a beautiful musical trip for piano enthusiasts.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Without a doubt, it would be my teachers Tetyana Aleksandrova, Lyudmyla Zakopets, Carlota Garriga, and also Alicia de Larrocha, the great Catalan pianist.
Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the creation of the album, and if so, how did they shape the final product?
The idea of creating an album was in my mind for several years before its creation. However, the decisive and final impetus that brought this forward was my meeting and conversation with my friend and producer Joan Arnau Pàmies, who at that time had just set up his own label Protomaterial Records and offered me to record something. This was the main reason behind the production of the record as well as the consolidation behind the specific repertoire.
How did you approach the selection and arrangement of the songs on this project to create a cohesive and impactful listening experience for your audience?
The album is called "Travessia" and its conceptual framework is a journey through multiple eras of music written by Catalan composers. Thus, it shows a great variety of musical styles, from 18th century classical pieces to current, contemporary music.
How do you see this album representing your artistic evolution or progression, and what new elements or techniques did you experiment with during its production?
One of the new experiences for me was the use of the middle pedal, which I never used before. In general, I looked for extreme dynamic contrasts in order to create a beautiful sound environment.
Can you share any memorable or profound moments from the recording or writing sessions that had a lasting impact on you personally or creatively?
One of the special moments of the recording was when in his own piece, the composer Joan Arnau Pàmies, who was also the producer and was in the room, decided to change some chords in one of his pieces. Overall, the whole process of preparing and recording the album was one of the best experiences in my musical career.
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