Pianist Sophia Agranovich - A Reverie of the Soul album - CD Review, 25^th of May 2026

Robert Schumann: Sonata No. 2, Op. 22 in G minor; Symphonic Studies, Op. 13.

"A Reverie of the Soul" is the title of the album I am presenting today, an expression that captures both the character of Robert Schumann's music and the refined interpretation of pianist Sophia Agranovich. Recorded last year in New Jersey and released on April 3^rd by Centaur Records in the United States, the album features four emblematic works by Schumann: the Symphonic Studies, Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Arabeske, Op. 18, and the Papillons suite. They are performed by the exceptional Ukrainian-born pianist Sophia Agranovich, who is based in North America and impresses through her remarkable qualities: virtuosity, finesse, poetic spirit, and expressiveness.

The first work on the album is the Sonata, Op. 22 in G minor. In the album's accompanying notes, the pianist describes the work as "a compact and electrifying piece that combines classical forms with Romantic intensity and reflects the composer's youthful nature, literary imagination, emotion, and pianistic brilliance. The piece highlights Robert Schumann's unique ability to balance structural rigor with poetic freedom." These distinctive qualities of the Sonata in G minor are brought to the fore in Sophia Agranovich's eloquent interpretation.

The disc also includes the Symphonic Studies, Op. 13, composed in 1834 in the form of a theme and variations, combining the intimate character of études with the grandeur of symphonic sonorities. With admirable technique, expressive intensity, and a delicate touch, Sophia Agranovich reveals the work's extensive range of textures, dynamics, and emotions, as well as its polyphonic complexity and depth.

Sophia Agranovich captivates audiences and critics alike with her exuberant artistic personality, powerful pianistic technique, and bold approach to the Romantic repertoire. The artist was born in Chernivtsi, and her father is originally from Romania. She studied in her hometown and, at just 10 years old, won the Mykola Lysenko International Competition, one of Ukraine's most important music competitions. At the age of 15, she moved with her family to New York, where she continued her studies at the Juilliard School with the legendary pianist Sascha Gorodnitzki, and has since built an impressive concert career. She has performed on prestigious stages across North and South America, Asia, and Europe, and has released 12 albums to date featuring a variety of repertoire, with Romantic music occupying a particularly prominent place.