On Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:00 PM, piano virtuoso Lola Astanova made her Carnegie Hall debut in “A Tribute to Horowitz” sold out concert performing the works of Chopin, Scriabin and Rachmaninov at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. The gala, presented by the American Cancer Society, was chaired by Donald J. Trump with special guest artist host Julie Andrews and sponsored by Tiffany & Co. The evening was a benefit for the American Cancer Society who bestowed The American Cancer Society Lifetime Achievement Award upon the event’s chairman, Donald J. Trump and special guest artist host Julie Andrews. Lola Astanova and Franz Mohr received The American Cancer Society Vladimir Horowitz Distinguished Artist Award. The awards were presented by Don Distasio, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society in New York and New Jersey. The presentation ceremony featured a special performance by the Stonewall Chorale. Julie Andrews emphasized how music is a healing experience and Ms. Astanova's music was that indeed.
Coincidentally, Lola's tribute to Horowitz, one of her music heroes and inspirations, was on the anniversary of the 84th anniversary year of Horowitz's own Carnegie Hall debut. Lola says playing his piano on the main stage of Carnegie Hall was understandably, “A very special and emotional experience.” A performer whose playing style is reminiscent of the old masters Ms. Astanova possesses an artistry so rarely seen today that her concerts are truly singular experiences not to be missed.
Ms. Astanova was phenomenal as she chose a program largely comprised of miniatures and character pieces as a tribute to Horowitz, whose programs often consisted of smaller works which took listeners on a memorable emotional journey. A master in constructing his own recital programs, Horowitz always had one important criteria in mind - his audience. Miniatures and smaller works are the gems of pianistic repertoire that capture the true personality of a performer as they demand greater versatility and leave a lasting impression with the audience and that is exactly what Ms. Astanova did. The program included Frederic Chopin Nocturne Op. 62, No. 1; Etude Op. 25, No. 5; Etude Op. 25, No. 12; Scherzo No. 2, OP. 3; Sonata No. 2, Op. 35; Sergei Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 32, No. 10; Moment Musicaux Op. 16, No. 4; Prelude Op. 3, No. 2; Alexander Scriabin Etude OP. 42, No. 5; Etude Op. 8, No. 11.
Lola Astanova, a Steinway artist, performed on a piano that is, without question, the most famous piano in the world - the legendary Horowitz Steinway. It was built in 1941 and Vladimir Horowitz acquired it on May 27, 1943. This piano traveled with Horowitz all over the globe, including his legendary "Return to Russia" concerts in Moscow and Leningrad in 1986. Horowitz also played it at the White House for President Ronald Reagan. The piano has a serial number CD503 (very famous in the piano world).
Franz Mohr was Horowitz's piano technician for years and in his book, he wrote about how Horowitz famously refused to play concerts unless Franz was preparing his piano. Franz Mohr prepared the piano for Lola's concert on January 19th and attended the show as Ms. Astanova's special guest.
Born in Tashkent in the former USSR, Lola’s music career began at the age of six. By twelve she achieved international acclaim and was featured in a UNESCO documentary Prodigies of the 20th Century. But her young career came to a halt when, confronted with bureaucratic barriers, Lola was precluded from performing for two years. Fighting to break free, Ms. Astanova moved to America and, relying on new media to communicate with her fans, began to redefine what it means to be a modern-day virtuoso.
Her American break came in 2007, when Lola garnered unprecedented attention as the star of a $1.6 million Neiman Marcus’ Classical Superstars Fantasy Concert, alongside Valery Gergiev and Regis Philbin. Today Lola’s online videos are among the most watched virtuoso performances in the world, and her original arrangements are attempted by pianists all over the globe. Her version of Rihanna's Don't Stop the Music on YouTube has been viewed almost 1.5 million times. Passionate and fearless, Ms. Astanova has always used her talent and influence to support important social causes. She has been using her talent and influence to support cancer research and other charitable organizations.
All proceeds from the concert will benefit the American Cancer Society. Lola Astanova's next performance will be on April 10th, 2012 at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach, Florida. For more information, please visit www.lolaastanova.com.
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