“The Poetry of Places,” an album by the Ukrainian classical pianist Nadia Shpachenko, was awarded a Grammy for the best classical compendium at the annual ceremony in Los Angeles on Jan. 26
The 2019 album features solo and collaborative works performed with pianist Joanne Pearce Martin and percussionists Nick Terry and Cory Hill. Inspired by diverse buildings according to a post on Shpachenko’s official website, the album was also nominated for “Producer of the Year, Classical” for the album’s producers Marina and Victor Ledin.
A review on the classical contemporary website I Care If You Listen, called the album a “superb assemblage of works by various composers. Each piece, inspired by a particular building, weaves together a collage of place and time, and Shpachenko’s evocative interpretations bring insight to the composers’ visions.”
“Thank you so much, everyone! I haven’t had a second to catch my breath yet, this is so unreal and I am floating on air!” Shpachenko wrote on her Facebook page. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who worked on ‘The Poetry of Places’ with me and to everyone who supported this album!”
Shpachenko was born in Ukraine, though currently lives in the U.S., where she leads the Piano Performance program at Cal Poly Pomona University and teaches piano, toy piano and harpsichord.
She is also on the faculty of Claremont Graduate University, where she teaches doctoral piano students. Shpachenko completed her doctor of musical arts degree at the University of Southern California, where she was named an outstanding graduate. Her principal teachers included John Perry, Victor Rosenbaum and Victor Derevianko.
In 2015, Shpachenko’s debut album “Woman at the New Piano” was also nominated for Grammys in three categories: best classical compendium, best chamber music/small ensemble performance and producer of the Year, Classical.”
The 62nd Grammy Awards also honored artists Billie Eilish, the famous 18-year-old American singer, with four awards including album of the year and Lizzo, who took home three awards including best pop solo performance.
