12 piano pieces

Roksana Smirnova. Pianist, composer. This collection of piano pieces is the result of many years of work, alongside her formation as a person and as a musician. Roksana graduated from the Odessa School of Arts and Culture in jazz piano, and then from the Odessa Academy of Music in classical piano. Perhaps a combination of these two directions and types of thinking, formed her unique musical language and determined her circle of musical interests. Having met and absorbed a huge number of styles and genres, her conscious aspiration as a composer is directed to the space where there are no borders.

In August 2017, Roksana went to Norway to record her solo album. The choice was not accidental, since there you will find the famous Rainbow Studio with the legend of sound engineering, Jan Erik Kongshaug. But that's not all. In Norway lived and worked a musician who plays a very important role in Roksana's life - pianist, composer and professor of the Oslo Academy of Music, Mikhail (Misha) Alperin. He was the sound producer of Roksana's recording. Unfortunately, these two geniuses have left our world and now, we have to write about them in the past tense ... The result of their joint work was the album "Lullaby", and later a collection of these piano pieces. I was lucky to attend the Rainbow Studio during this recording. It was an interesting process. Ease, spontaneity, virtuosity, passion, playfulness are my main memories from this work, upon which, like a free bird, soared inspiration!

Each composition is unique and born in a state of deep creative immersion. As mentioned, Roksana's music always strives to go beyond styles; although it includes classical, minimalist, impressionistic and jazz traditions. This property of her music provides an opportunity for many performers to show their interpretative and improvisational talent.

We hope that this collection will be a source of inspiration for both - revealing one's abilities and searching for "one's unique voice".

  Evelina Petrova.