Oksana Kolesnikova: German Pavarotti to sing Aurora Fantasy
Tobias
Siberian-born American Pianist Oksana Kolesnikova has announced that her original solo Piano composition “Aurora Fantasy in e minor” (lifted from her self-released 2002 album “Free Floating”) is currently being reworked into a song by no less than two singers at the same time. Both lyrical Tenor Mario Andretti, who shares passion, personality and proficiency but not pace and profession with the equally named racing driver, and Italian-born classically rooted Silvia Vicinelli are currently putting the final touch to their transcriptions of the piece. It is not the first time “Aurora” has gathered interest outside of Kolesnikova’s loyal fanbase: The track has already been transformed into veritable R’n’B piece “Just don’t say a Word” by befriended artists Jj and Byron J. Even though both Andretti and Vicinelli are anything but conservative in their approach, their edits will obviously cater more explicitely to the classical market. Thanks to a tentative studio cut realised in conjunction with a local singer, sent to us by Oksana Kolesnikova’s management, we have been able to preview the new piece, whose sensitive serene vocal melody follows the piano, burning with subdued ardour, yet never exploding into a cliched outburst. This, however, should only serve as a first impression, as Oksana has stated that she "has a feeling the final product from both artists will be quite explosive".
Even though both collaborations are still essentially unfinished, one can safely assume that the obvious differences in approach should make them anything but similar. Mario Andretti has been dubbed “The German Pavarotti” by the original Italian one, whose beatific belcanto style he has always regarded as his main source of influence next to the legacy of the great Mario Lanza. Silvia Vicinelli, meanwhile, together with her long-term musical partner/arranger Martin Morgenstern, has developed a distinct Ballad-style in between Rock, Pop and Lied, occasionally entering the territory usually occupied by melodic Metal bands. It will be highly interesting to see how these artist from two different camps tackle the challenge of interpreting Oksana’s composition..
The announcement of the “Aurora” reworkings comes in sync with Oksana’s stint on the front cover of “
Hollywood Magazine” and only months after the release of her audiovisual album project with painter Jim Warren, “Best of Two Worlds”.
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Silvia Vicinelli