I picked up on this old thread after a search on her name. I just attended a recital here in Santa Rosa by this remarkable woman. I can't believe the pettiness of the responses on this thread. She is an extremely gracious lady who spoke (with a very noticable Russian accent) between sets on why she chose the pieces she did. We have a small piano concert series here in a very small venue where we are lucky enough to be almost literally on top of the performers and can clearly view the hands/technique. Her career seems to be based mostly in Japan, Russia and other parts of Europe. She performed Bach French Suite #2, Mendelssohn; 3 Songs Without Words and Variations Serieuses; Glinka: Nocturne "La Separation"; Tchaikovsky: Varations in F, Op 19; Lokshin: Prelude and Theme with Variations (a little-known Russian composer 1920-1987 - another of unfortunate artists suppressed by Soviet authorities); and finished with one of the most dazzling performances of Stravinsky's Petrouchka. With regard to the latter, being so close to the keyboard, it was clear how demonically difficult a work it is. In all, a refreshingly varied program - void of many of the chestnuts we normally hear. I'm definitely going try to get my hands on some of Lokshin's music (I believe she has recorded some of it). Anyway, I just wanted to share this and counter some of the shallow/stupid remarks made above. Please, if you have the opportunity to hear her, DO.
Topic: Elena Kuschnerova! What do you think of her?