Mami’s new Tchaikovsky recording (for the programme description click here.) has been chosen as “Disc of the Month” in a major Japanese music magazine “Ongaku-no-Tomo” and it is attracting fantastic reviews internationally. The latest reviews have appeared in the “American Record Guide” and “Fanfare” in USA, “Record Geijutsu” (Art of Records) and “Ongaku no Tomo” in Japan, “Diapason” (France) and “International Piano” and “Musical Opinion” in the UK. Copies of the CD can be purchased from major e-tailers and streaming sites, such as HMV, Presto Classical, Amazon, Spotify and AppleMusic and Naxos Direct. Her recording was featured during The Full Works Concert “Rarely Heard Gems” on Classic FM as well as during David Mellor’s Classic FM show. Her recordings have also been recently played on BBC Radio 3, “Breakfast” and “Essential Classics” Listen to the lastest Classic FM broadcast here.
Her recording was recently featured in a Canadian radio programme “Women in music” on the Grand 101.
You can read samples of the reviews below:
International Piano, September 2017
The Etude that opens Tchaikovsky’s Op 40 indicates this music is hardly of ‘moderate’ difficulty. It does show that Japanese pianist Mami Shikimori’s technique is stunning, however, while the ‘Chanson triste’ and the ‘Marche funebre’ reveal her capacity for profundity. Op 40 was penned just after the Symphony No 4 and Eugene Onegin, and a similar depth of sorrow surfaces here and there. Some music is decidedly of the salon, while keen-eared listeners will recognise an affinity with Swan Lake in the ‘Danse russe.’ The Souvenir de Hapsal is marginally better served on disc, and again Shikimori carves a niche for herself, capturing the misterioso of the first piece perfectly, while her sweet tone for the well-known ‘Chant sans paroles’ captivates. Four charming miniatures complete this delightful disc of the byways of Tchaikovsky’s piano output. © 2017 International Piano
“Gems worth discovering” (Classic FM)
James Harrington
American Record Guide, July 2017
Japanese pianist Shikimori is new to me, and she is very much worth watching for. She brings to these small pieces the same level of musicianship and attention to detail that you might expect in a Beethoven sonata. Each one was engaging; and the entire, very generous, program seemed to be over too soon. I could easily go on for another full disk of relatively minor Tchaikovsky pieces when they are played this well. I can only hope that this could be the beginning of a project. © 2017 American Record Guide Read complete review on American Record Guide
Richard A. Kaplan
Fanfare, September 2017
“Never dull”
Ongaku no Tomo, July 2017
…a recording by the young pianist Mami Shikimori and includes a lot of rarely heard works such as 12 Pieces, Souvenir de Hapsal, Valse-Scherzo Nos 1 & 2 and Capriccio. These are all splendid Tchaikovsky masterworks, and furthermore the playing of Mami Shikimori is simply marvellous. I would like as many people as possible to listen to this wonderful disc. © 2017 Ongaku no Tomo
Record Geijutsu, July 2017
…Mami Shikimori has released an unusual Tchaikovsky disc. Tchaikovsky wrote numerous short piano pieces that were dedicated to people around him and to his musician friends, as well as many studies for students. These are fine and stylish works with a poetic and warm atmosphere. This album contains many such pieces, not often heard on the concert stage. Mami Shikimori plays these works with ease, with astoundingly beautiful pearl-like tone, intimate expression and always full of feeling. Listening to this disc leaves you feeling enriched, as though having spent time in an intimate music salon. A disc that guarantees an enchanting time.
© 2017 Record Geijutsu
The Musician, June 2017
Shikimori’s versatile style illuminates the many shades of Capriccio and spins the lyrical lines of Chanson Triste with stunning purity. © 2017 The Musician
Jerobear
Review Corner, April 2017
…pianist Mami Shikimori making the pieces sound at their best… © 2017 Review Corner
Robert Matthew-Walker
Musical Opinion, April 2017
…we have to thank Naxos and their fearless championship of the unfamiliar in music, from the greatest composers to the least-known, and in this instance the stylish and committed playing of Mami Shikimori, who brings to each one of these brief studies a degree of refinement and musicianship that are a joy to hear. The recording, at Wyastone Leys by Michael Ponder, is of a very high standard, resulting in a disc which deserves every success. © 2017 Musical Opinion