„A C. Bechstein grand piano has a wonderfully malleable sound which always inspires me to experiment and gives me enriching new ideas. As a reliable partner on stage, he gives me confidence and withstands the most virtuoso performances.“
Elena Gaponenko
Elena Gaponenko was born into a musical family and raised in a colourful environment full of sounds. Thus, it doesn't come as much of a surprise that she started to play two instruments at the age of four. After attending specialist schools in Moscow and musical studies in Germany and the Netherlands, she took her concert examination. She has since worked as a progressive music teacher in Vienna, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main and Bremen.
Elena Gaponenko has received awards and diplomas for both instruments she plays at many international competitions. She performs at renowned music festivals and concert series, both as a soloist and as part of chamber music ensembles. Her piano solo album „Hommage à Vienne“ was recorded on a C. Bechstein grand for the label Oehms Classics.
In 2009, she founded the concert series „Stars of the future“ which is dedicated to keeping alive the interest in classical music and to supporting both young talents and experienced musicians. At this time, she is an ambassador for the Sir Peter Ustinov foundation for the project „Klavier macht Schule“ (pianos in schools9.
Elena Gaponenko considers the stage to be her calling, and understands herself to be an interpreter who lets the music flow threw herself, unlocking its hidden meanings to the audience in the process. Part of her performances is communicating the philosophy of both the composer and the composition.
Photo: © Photo-Zander/Elena Gaponenko
