Pianist Anastasiya Bazhenova announces her debut album, From Mendelssohn to Madness, exploring how music reflects psychological shifts in the human condition when stability falters.
Bazhenova traces an inward journey through the music of Mendelssohn and Prokofiev, moving from certainty to uncertainty.
The journey begins with Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, representing an era where clarity and beauty served as fundamental ways of understanding reality and oneself. Yet, even in this apparent transparency, Mendelssohn hints at emerging instability, setting the stage for a deepening exploration.
In the Fantasia in F-sharp minor, Mendelssohn’s music becomes a field of resistance, depicting an inner struggle between the desire for wholeness and the forces that threaten to dismantle it.
As the narrative unfolds, the focus moves to Prokofiev’s Sixth Sonata. Here, the music records reality in its most exposed form. In a world where the pace of change exceeds human grasp, Prokofiev’s work navigates extreme emotional states—including fear, fury, despair, irony, and paranoia.
For Bazhenova, this album is not merely a collection of distinct works, but a “single inner trajectory”. It serves as a musical narrative of a human being searching for meaning even when the old order no longer holds.
Track Listing:
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
• Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words, selections from Opp. 19, 38, 67, and 85)
• Fantasia in F-sharp minor, Op. 28
Sergej Prokofiev
• Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82
From Mendelssohn to Madness is released on CD and streaming on 1 April 2026 on the Etcetera label. Anastasiya performs in London at the 1901 Arts Club on Friday 24 April.
Pre-order From Mendelssohn to Madness
PRAISE FOR ANASTASIYA BAZHENOVA
“Superb musicianship and captivating stage presence.”
“A pianist capable of drawing an astonishing range of colour and depth from the instrument.“
“A highly sincere and intelligent musician with a unique artistic voice.”
(Comments from colleagues and audience)
Anastasiya Bazhenova is a concert pianist based in Norway, recognised for her intense musical concentration, refined sound palette, and a strongly individual artistic voice. She received her early training in Russia through the ten-year specialised programme for gifted children, a rigorous system known for producing pianists of exceptional technical and artistic discipline. This formative background continues to shape her uncompromising approach to sound, structure, and musical narrative.
Bazhenova later completed her advanced studies in Norway, earning a Master’s degree from the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, where she is now based.
Her artistry is defined by a deep inner world and a strong sense of dramaturgy, with programmes conceived as coherent artistic statements rather than conventional recital formats. Her interpretations are often described as psychologically focused, emotionally charged, and marked by a distinctive clarity of musical thought.
She performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe and North America. Her debut album, From Mendelssohn to Madness, is released on Etcetera Records in 2026 and presents a sharply articulated artistic concept, positioning her as a distinctive voice on the contemporary piano scene.
The Cross-Eyed Pianist 