“The young pianist Zlata Chochieva could have found more popular works for her debut album for Piano Classics label. Courageously and powerfully she dashes for Rachmaninoff’s Chopin Variations op. 22.

Piano sonata No. 1 d-moll op. 28 usually stays in the shadow of the later b flat minor sonata as well (this work is usually preferred by CD debutants). Gloomily feels Zlata the dramaturgical development of the work; after all, Rachmaninoff’s sonata No. 1 follows Liszt’s “Faust-Symphony”, its three movements representing Faust, Gretchen and Mephistopheles. Technically brilliant, clear and stringent plays the pianist Chopin Variations. She might have made a more brilliant display with other works, however Zlata Chochieva courageously demonstrates a profound acquaintance with the works of the young Rachmaninoff.”

Anja Renczikowski