“Fabulous !!!! Queen of the Keys !!!” Brian May, Queen
When you envision the type of artist who performs at Carnegie Hall, who do you imagine? What do they look like? What are they wearing? Now, forget everything you think you know about classical pianist and feast your dry eyes on Lola Astanova.
Breaking the stereotype is an understatement when it comes to this world-renowned female pianist. She has equipped her impressive piano skills with a seductive edge and one very creative twist. The Emmy Award Winner and piano slayer has just released her new single “Elise Was Here” a melodic blend of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s iconic “Für Elise” and EDM. Yes, you heard that right.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_z9KQdg8qy/
Her eyes are set on leading classical music into the 21st century with support from her nearly one million Instagram followers and an audience she’s garnered through her majestic YouTube performances. Astanova signed with Sony Music Entertainment in 2019, a move that seems to have allowed her to be herself and explore new creative musical avenues. Fans are well nurtured by Astanova and look be reveling in her classical pop music piano covers of Queen’s “We Are The Champions” and Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music.”
Astanova’s latest worldwide release “Elise Was Here” is the EDM, classical music crossover the world didn’t know it needed. Who knows, perhaps Astanova is pioneering a genre of music both you and your parents will enjoy. According to Astanova, this is where “Tradition gets twisted, and classical becomes cool again.”
“Elise Was Here” by Lola Astanova is available for download on all major music platforms, you’re welcome.
Fashion Sense
If classical music ever did die (it didn’t), Lola Astanova would be the one that brings it back to life. And you can bet on one thing, she’ll do it with fabulous style and grace.
Blue velvet never looked so good.
Astanova has made multiple fashion statements at galas and events over the years and has even said that she prefers to perform in high heels over flats.
Legendary Instructors and Famous Friends
Born in present-day Uzbekistan, Astanova entered the V. Uspensky Specialized School of Music for Gifted Children at the age of six where she started playing the piano. She then began touring as a concert pianist at the age of eight. Fast forward to 2012 when Astanova made her Carnegie Hall debut at a special Tribute to Vladimir Horowitz gala concert chaired by Donald Trump and hosted by Academy Award winner Julie Andrews. Since then, she has certainly left her impact on the entertainment industry. Lola developed her piano skills under the guidance of renowned piano professor Tamara Popovich, professor Mark Rusak, and Lev Naumov of the Moscow Conservatory.
Astanova has received praise from Grammy-nominated pianist and producer Vincent Corver, leaving “Incredible is just an understatement” on one of her Instagram posts featuring her latest music video of “The Muse (Clair de lune).” The music video has almost 1 million views on YouTube. She’s received praise from high places with fans like legendary composer David Foster, EDM DJ Benny Benassi, Steve Aoki, and Brian May from Queen. Most recently, her “Heal The World” tribute was featured on Michael Jackson’s official Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Astanova has also been featured in numerous publications such as the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone and more recently graced the cover of Pianist magazine. In 2014, Astanova performed at the New York Ball honoring Vogue’s editor-in-chief Italia Franca. Famous attendees included Valentino Garavani, Zac Posen, Coco Rocha and Kris Jenner who introduced her performance.
Did we mention that she is Novak Djokovic’s piano teacher?
One to Watch
For Astanova, her new single “Elise Was Here” marks the evolution of her as an artist. It is the next step in her musical journey as she takes her perfected skills and outgoing personality outside the realm of standard classical music. Lola remarks, “This track is the first of several that will be featured in my new live show, and I hope that both classical/crossover and electronic music fans will be excited to take this journey with me.”
Astanova has dropped hints at a possible new live show rumored to debut later this year. A showcase of her master piano skills and musical stylings boosted by the use of mesmeric visuals and electronic production. There’s no doubt that this will be a big year for her.
I leave you with this treat, Lola Astanova performs “The Song about the Far Homeland” by Tariverdiev Mikael, Seventeen Moments of Spring.