The Musician Insight

The piano recording of the year

The brilliant pianist, Isata Kanneh-Mason, is returning with her fifth album Mendelssohn, performing several pieces of the composer with the London Mozart Players conducted by Jonathan Bloxham.

Opening with Mendelssohn‘s Piano Concerto No.1 in G Minor, Op.25, Mason’s incomparable virtuosity is put in the spotlight once again, delivering one stunning performance after another.

Born in Nottingham in 1996, she begun studying the piano at six years old, and along with her siblings, she will attend classes at the RAM’s Junior Academy.

Later on, she entered the Purcell School and the Royal Academy of Music.

In 2013, she performed with Elton John, in 2020 and in 2021 she was awarded the Opus Klassik award for best new artist the Leonard Bernstein prize.

Today, she returns with the London Mozart Players to deliver her take on some of Mendelssohn’s greatest pieces, shining a light, for the new generation, on piano interpretation.

The London Mozart Players: a little history

Founded in 1949 by violinist Harry Blech, the London Mozart Players is a British chamber orchestra, residing in Croydon since 1989. Since its start the orchestra has performed with musicians such as Jacqueline du Pré and James Galway in various musical halls (the Royals Festival Hall, the Cadogan Hall, etc).

The classical collaboration of the summer

Isata Kanneh-Mason’s playing in this new project is one to study: with her incomparable virtuosity, both technically and musically, she is capable to transpire any given emotion (nostalgia, playfulness, passion, heartbreak…), with ease.

Her sound is rich, powerful and dazzling, serving the pieces perfectly. Mason’s excellent technique is reminiscent of the greats that came before her, such as Martha Argerich, already putting her mark as one of the best classical pianists to come to light in recent years.

Photo © Robin Clewley