On Sandro Russo's debut album for Steinway & Sons, he showcases the multiple facets of Rachmaninov’s artistic language, from his monumental first sonata to his last original work for solo piano the Variations on a theme of Corelli.

“This classical piano man tackles the Rachmaninov canon and doesn't stop at just the warhorse repertoire. Finding music where other piano players didn't bother to look, this is a technician and tactician that stands and deliver,  giving the listener more than what he thinks he came for.”

MidWest Record Entertainment

 “Besides having mastered the sheer digital obstacles Rachmaninov created as a salute to his own, enormous hands, Russo maintains a flexible, fluent line that carries us dramatically even through the poised silences, quite a feat of intelligent virtuosity.” 

Audiophile Audition

“This work [Sonata 1] requires a pianist with vast reserves of technique, power, and interpretive skill. Russo succeeds on all counts... Russo has many beautiful and important things to say about this work.”

 American Record Guide

ALBUM CREDITS

Rachmaninov / Sandro Russo • STNS 30077 

Release Date: 03/17/2017

Recorded June 13 & 20, 2016 at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon, New York.
Producers: Ryan Streber, Sandro Russo
Engineer: Ryan Streber

Executive Producers: Eric Feidner and Jon Feidner
Art Direction: Jackie Fugere
Design: Cover to Cover Design, Anilda Carrasquillo
Piano Technician: Dan Jessie
Piano: Steinway Model D (Hamburg) #498260

About the Artist

Sandro Russo’s playing has often been referred to as a throwback to the grand tradition of elegant pianism and beautiful sound. Composer Lowell Liebermann wrote of him, “Sandro Russo is a musician's musician and a pianist's pianist. There is no technical challenge too great for him, but it is his musicianship that ultimately makes the greatest impression. His interpretations reveal a unique and profound artist at work.”

Born in San Giovanni Gemini, Italy, Mr. Russo displayed exceptional musical talent from an early age. He later entered the V. Bellini Conservatory, from where he graduated summa cum laude. He also earned the Pianoforte Performing Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London with honors. Soon after Mr. Russo moved to the United States in 2000, he won the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, and has ever since performed in such prestigious concert halls as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Weill and Zankel halls at Carnegie Hall, Kilbourn Hall (Eastman Theatre), Salle Cortot in Paris, Teatro Politeama in Palermo, the Konzerthaus Berlin and Stoller Hall in Manchester (UK).

Mr. Russo’s performances have aired on all the major radio stations in the US and abroad. His previous recordings include Scarlatti Recreated – Transcriptions and Hommages and Russian Gems – Piano Rarities. The present album and the Steinway & Son album Images et Mirages: Hommage à Debussy were both chosen “Disc of the Month” by Italy’s The Classic Voice magazine and the latter was also featured in Gramophone’s “Sounds of America.”

Sandro Russo is a Steinway Artist.

About Steinway & Sons label

The STEINWAY & SONS music label produces exceptional albums of solo piano music across all genres. The label — a division of STEINWAY & SONS, maker of the world’s finest pianos — is a perfect vessel for producing the finest quality recordings by some of the most talented pianists in the world.