Description
Review:
“Few pianists have recorded the exquisite music of Iberia as persuasively and with such finesse… In her hands, every bit the equal to De Larrocha’s, music jumps to life so vividly as to convey the essence of Spanish culture.” – Clavier
“…In some ways, Ms. Baytelman puts me in mind of Elizabeth Schwarzkopf; not only for the unimpeachable technique, but for an interpretive savoir-faire the principal capital of which is its grasp, on the minutest level, of inflection. For this pianist, every compositional event is a change of climate, an occasion to be explored and illuminated from innumerable perspectives.” – Music and Vision
“[Albéniz’s] Iberia reste un des sommets de virtuosité et de poésie de la littérature pianistique espagnole…Baytelman réussit admirablement à exprimer l’intensité des émotions du recueil.” – La Scena Musicale, Canada
INTRODUCING THE ARTIST:
Pola Baytelman
With sparkling articulation reminiscent of the remarkable Alicia de Larrocha, pianist Pola Baytelman probes deeply to the heart of whatever music she plays. Keeping the composer’s intent foremost, she plays with effortless technique, listening always. The press has called her playing “formidable” and having “a diaphanous touch.” Baytelman is an active recitalist with a broad repertory that covers from the 18th to the 21st century. She has toured extensively in China, Europe, Hong Kong, South America and across the United States. Her performances have been broadcast on radio and television in Australia, Chile, China, the Czech Republic and the United States. She is well known for her performances of music by Spanish and Latin American composers.
Born in Chile, Baytelman made her debut with the Chilean Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17 and has since performed with numerous orchestras, in the U.S. and abroad. After graduating from the University of Chile’s National Conservatory, Baytelman earned a Master’s degree and an Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory in Boston as a pupil of Russell Sherman under a Fulbright grant. Her doctorate in piano performance is from the University of Texas, Austin where she studied with Nancy Garrett. She has also worked with Claude Frank and Menahem Pressler.
Baytelman is the author of a book on the Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz’s piano music published by Harmonie Park Press in Michigan. In addition, Baytelman teamed up with famed Albéniz scholar Walter Clark and was the pianist of a video documentary on the Spanish composer released in August 2019 (Albany Records).
Baytelman has released three additional recordings: From Chile to Cuba and Celebration of the New (both Albany Records); and a recording of Robert Schumann’s works in which the Humoreske op. 20 (Centaur), was listed by American Record Guide as one of the top performances of the classic work.
