Solo album “Fantasies, Fairytales, & Nightmares” by classical pianist Ani Gogova released at the Arts Club of Chicago on September 12, 2014

Solo album “Fantasies, Fairytales, & Nightmares” by classical pianist Ani Gogova released at the Arts Club of Chicago on September 12, 2014

Award-winning Bulgarian-American pianist Ani Gogova bends the conventions of presenting classical music in her debut solo recording. Starting with the strikingly dramatic CD package design, created by one of Europe’s leading visual artists, the album takes the listeners on a journey to the pianist’s world of “Fantasies, Fairytales, and Nightmares.” The music ranges from all-time favorite Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to lesser known magical Fairytales by Medtner; from the intimate beauty of romantic fantasy pieces of Schumann and Brahms to the whimsical humor of Shostakovich, the electrifying energy of Prokofiev, and the enigmatic code of Ligeti. To celebrate the release of the album on Blue Griffin Recording label, the artist will perform a series of concerts around the country, including recitals in Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The Chicago performance is under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Simeon S. Stoilov, Consul General of Bulgaria.

Friday, September 12, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 East Ontario Street

Tickets: $20-50 at www.anigogova.com

Host committee: Margaret J. O’Connor, Petya Romanova, Marco Foster, Jeff Conway, and Benjamin Cottrell

Program:

Beethoven Sonata quasi una Fantasia in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2, “Moonlight”

Schumann Phantasiestücke / Fantasy Pieces, Op. 12 (selections)

Brahms Fantasies, Op. 116 (selections)

Medtner Two Fairytales, Op. 26 No.3 and Op. 51 No.2

Shostakovich Fantastic Dances, Op. 5

Prokofiev Suggestion Diabolique, Op. 4 No.4

Ligeti Musica Ricercata (selections)

Acclaimed for her innovative approach to classical music, Ani Gogova appears in over 40 performances each season throughout Europe and North America. Her cutting-edge collaborations with artists of other media such as photography, film, live animation, poetry, and dance create fresh and memorable classical experiences. Her chamber music project iAN&ANi duo with cellist Ian Maksin has created a sensation around the country with over 100 performances in two years, being featured on NPR’s Worldview, Bulgarian National Radio, WFMT Chicago, TED Talks and being selected as Critics’ Pick by Time Out Chicago Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Gogova holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and has been living in Chicago since 2003 when she was appointed at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University becoming the youngest professor to join the world-renowned faculty of the Music Conservatory at the time.

Since 1916, The Arts Club of Chicago has been a preeminent exhibitor of international art, a forum for established and emerging artists, and a celebrated venue for performers from around the world. For over 95 years, The Arts Club has opened its membership to artists and patrons of the arts, and its exhibitions to the public. The Club offers between three and four public exhibitions per year, a permanent collection including work by many modern and contemporary masters, and diverse a calendar of programming offered to its membership and guests.

Media contact: Margaret J. O’Connor 312.951.5050 mjomarcon@aol.com