Press

"Alexandrov’s piano sonatas…comprise a significant body of work in Russian history deserving of greater exposure. This first integral recording is an achievement that any listener with an attraction to Russian and Eastern European piano music will find of interest. The recorded sound captures the full richness of Teo’s Steinway.  "

"...This three CD set includes all fourteen sonatas. And it gives three of them world recording premieres. Clarisse Teo plays with sensitivity and expression. Her interpretations explore the emotional depths of these works... Highly recommended."

"...The most interesting sonatas are those from the 1920s. As an example, the dramatic opening of the Fourth Sonata (1922) is hugely impressive, as is the whole of the first movement, full of strong ideas, imaginatively developed. Clarisse Teo's performance is excellent, if lacking something of the headlong momentum of Hamish Milne (Hyperion) or Victor Bunin (Melodiya LP) in the same work. But the important thing about this set is that it gives us the opportunity to hear all of Alexandrov's sonatas - a substantial body of work - and to chart his stylistic evolution... The set is well recorded, and comes with detailed notes by Teo herself. Connoisseurs of Soviet-era piano sonatas should not hesitate."

"...I regard this as a very important release of a fine and sadly neglected composer. His piano music is very listenable, fresh sounding, and often impressively virtuosic, yet never in a cheap flashy sense, and three of the sonatas - 7, 9 and 12 - are recorded here for the very first time. Technically and musically, Clarisse Teo is certainly up to the demands of the music, the recording quality warm but clear, and if you are a lover of piano music, particularly of Eastern European composers, you are going to enjoy this release."

"Divine Art Recordings Group is delighted to announce the signing of Singaporean pianist Clarisse Teo who will feature in one of the year’s most significant recordings, a four-CD set (and digital album) containing all 14 of the superb Piano Concertos by the 20th century Soviet composer Anatoly Alexandrov (1888-1982) which will be scheduled for release before the end of 2024. [...]"

"Just as impressive was the solo recital of rarities by pianist Clarisse Teo, presently pursuing a musical doctorate at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. [...]

All three sonatas presented thorny technical and interpretive challenges, but Teo delivered with crispness and passionate aplomb."

"Clarisse Teo played the fourth Sonata alongside works by Xavier Montsalvatge and Vincent D'Indy and we hear the tumultuous finale here. I don't know the Sonata but it is growing on me after a few hearings; Teo brings out the startlingly contrasting moods and complex figures with ease though it was her dreamy playing of the meditativamente ma un poco piu that particularly held my attention." 

"Clarisse Teo plays the final movement of the Sonata No.4, op.19. Despite the highly charged romantic sound of this music, it was composed as late as 1922 and revised in 1954. The music is rhapsodic, optimistic and ‘richly harmonised’. The only problem is that as this Sonata is a cyclic work, themes that were initially presented in earlier movements are now heard out of context. I have never been a fan or excerpting from Sonatas: each movement should be heard in context. That said, Clarisse Teo gives a cracking performance of this remarkable work."

"It was sheer audacity for young law graduate-turned-pianist Clarisse Teo to offer a programme of absolute esoterica in works by Mompou, Medtner, D'Indy, Alexandrov and Villa-Lobos, much in the hallowed tradition of the Rarities of Piano Music at the Schloss vor Husum festival in Germany.

That she conducted herself with utter confidence and supreme musicality was beyond doubt. Equally admirable was a sizeable audience that was totally enthralled by her performance and reciprocated with the same warmth and enthusiasm that she displayed."

"Clarisse Teo's recital consisted wholly of rarities or works unlikely to be heard at a conventional concert.

She is a law graduate who decided to pursue music full time at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Her performance of Frenchman Vincent d'Indy's Theme Varie, Fugue Et Chanson and Soviet composer Anatoly Alexandrov's psychedelic Fourth Sonata displayed total confidence and a fearless disregard for their technical complexities, while making this arcane music sound fresh and natural."