Collaborative Pianists

Irina Frisardi

Irina Frisardi was born in Russia, where she received her first piano lessons at the age of five. During her studies, she was supported by the "Outstanding Musical Young Generation" committee and performed in many Russian cities, including St. Petersburg and Moscow. She participated in numerous masterclasses with renowned professors such as Aleksei Skavronsky, Naum Starkman, Vera Gornostaeva, Sergei Dorensky, and Paven Nersesjan.
At the age of 11, Irina Frisardi performed concerts in various states in the USA. She continued to give recitals in Russia and other European countries, and also appeared as a soloist with Russian orchestras. Irina Frisardi received invitations to perform as a soloist at various music festivals, including the "Alfred Schnittke Festival" in Moscow, the "Salzburger Schlosskonzerte," the "Mattseer Sonntagskonzerte," the "Farinelli Festival" in Andria (Italy), and the "Mozart Festival" in Rovereto (Italy).
Since the beginning of her career, Irina Frisardi has been dedicated to chamber music. She has performed a wide repertoire of string literature with musicians such as Lukas Hagen, Benjamin Schmid, Pavel Vernikov, Wolfgang Redik, Barbara Lübke, Luz Leskowitz, the "Salzburger Solisten," and the "Twins Quartett." She has appeared at various chamber music festivals, including the "Farinelli Festival" in Italy, the chamber music festival "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 250 Jahre" at Schloss Mirabell Salzburg, the chamber music festival "Estate Musicale" in Gressoney (Italy), and the musical academy "Symphonische Kammermusik rund um Gustav Mahler" in Salzburg.
Irina Frisardi has always dedicated herself with great passion and dedication to collaboration with other musicians, which has provided her with numerous experiences in this field. In Moscow, she has performed with numerous singers from the Bolshoi Theatre. As an accompanist, she worked for two years at the "Russian State Institute of Cinematography" in Moscow, accompanying dance and vocal classes. Since 2017, Irina Frisardi has been employed as an accompanist at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. She regularly performs concerts and serves as a piano accompanist in masterclasses (including Maxim Vengerov, Benjamin Schmid, Sergiu Schwartz and Christian Altenburger) as well as at international competitions.

The Swedish pianist Jonas Olsson has established a dual career as a sought-after chamber musician and accompanist, and as one of the most adventurous piano soloists on the Scandinavian new music scene today. Having initially studied with Hans Pålsson in Gothenburg, finishing with a soloist diploma and making his debut with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in 2007. He moved to Germany for a year at the International Ensemble Modern Academy in Frankfurt, followed by two years with Pierre-Laurent Aimard in Cologne, specialising in contemporary solo repertoire. Another important influence came from working intensely with Pierre Boulez as a member of the Lucerne Festival Academy between 2006 and 2009, where he took on several big solo parts, including “Sur Incises” and “Répons” by Boulez and “Des canyons aux étoiles” by Messiaen.

Based alternately in Sweden and Germany, Jonas enjoys a busy concert schedule, appearing at major venues such as Lucerne Festival, Klavierfestival Ruhr, Aldeburgh Festival, Carnegie Hall and the NY Phil Biennial. Recent highlights include the complete Boulez sonatas (Copenhagen’s Klang Festival in 2015), a Rebecca Saunders portrait concert (Aldeburgh Festival in 2016) and a series of concerts focusing on the piano works of Sciarrino and Xenakis (Klang Festival again, 2021 and 2022).

Jonas’ repertoire comprises a large selection of works from the most important late 20th century composers such as Boulez, Stockhausen, Messiaen, Berio, Nono, Ligeti, Carter, Lachenmann (with whom he has worked closely on several occasions), Xenakis, Ferneyhough and Sciarrino. Equally important is his commitment to a younger generation of composers, often collaborating closely on exploring new playing techniques.

Jonas is a founding member of the Gothenburg-based contemporary music ensemble Mimitabu and works since 2016 in a full-time position as répétiteur at Norrlandsoperan in Umeå. Since 2010 he has been the official accompanist (for all instruments) of Sweden’s most important youth competition, Polstjärnepriset. Jonas is also regularly invited to work with major international competitions, such as the Carl Nielsen International Competition and the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians.

Tatiana Chernichka

From an early age, the pianist Tatiana Chernichka was among the most promising talents of her generation. Born in Novosibirsk, Russia, she was awarded the First Prize in the International Chopin Competition in Göttingen, Germany when she was only 10 years old. Two years later, she gave her first solo recital and made her debut with the Novosibirsk Symphony Orchestra, performing the Piano Concerto No. 1 in Eb major by Franz Liszt.

Tatiana Chernichka has since been successful in numerous competitions. She was awarded the Third Prize in the 58th Feruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy, as well as in the 60th Maria Canals International Music Competition in Barcelona. She was also a finalist in the renowned Concours Reine Elisabeth in Brussels. As a prize winner in the Busoni Competition, she was given the opportunity to participate in three master classes with the legendary Alfred Brendel, in Essen, Bolzano and Reykjavik.

The young pianist has since performed in Germany and abroad, throughout Europe and Russia. She has been a guest artist at such festivals as the “Armonie sotto la Rocca” in Italy, “Musikal Kremlin” in Moscow and the “Ruhr Piano Festival” in Essen. She also took part in the Tel-Hai Piano Master Classes in Israel.

Tatiana Chernichka has played with such orchestras as the Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the “Musica Viva” Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Gustav Mahler Academy and the Polish Chamber Orchestra “AUSKO”.

Tatiana Chernichka received her early training at the music school of the M. I. Glinka Conservatory for gifted youth in Novosibirsk, where she was instructed by Professor Mary Lebenson. She has lived in Munich since 2003, where she studied with Professor Eliso Virsaladze. She received her Master’s Degree with honors at the “Mozarteum” Salzburg in 2011, where she was instructed by Professor Klaus Kaufmann.

Tatiana Chernichka has received a grant from the Foundation “Live Music Now” in Munich. Since 2009 she has also held a contract for accompaniment at the Munich University of Music and Performing Arts.