Jeneba Kanneh-Mason - Fantasie

On her debut album "Fantasie," pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, born in 2002, demonstrates the extraordinary range of her musical talent. She combines works by Claude Debussy, Frédéric Chopin and Alexander Scriabin with compositions by Florence Price, Margaret Bonds and William Grant Still into a poetic whole. "I have always loved putting together programs that flow seamlessly from one piece to the next, and all of these works mean a great deal to me," says Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. "By bringing them together here for my debut album, I not only reveal more of myself as a musician, but I also share the very different musical styles in which I grew up." Frédéric Chopin plays a central role in Jeneba Kanneh-Mason's repertoire, and she opens the album with his Second Piano Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35, one of his most powerful works, renowned for its emotional depth and urgency, but also for its technical brilliance. This is followed by the Nocturnes Op. 27, two contrasting pieces that demonstrate Chopin's mastery in expressing complex emotions in music. "These pieces must sound as if they are improvised," she reveals, "I had to internalize the notes in every detail, so that I am free to play and see what happens." From Chopin she leads the listener to the sound world of Claude Debussy with his Préludes - La fille aux cheveux de lin (The girl with the flaxen hair from Book 1) and Bruyères (Heather from Book 2). Jeneba Kanneh-Mason then plays three works by Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) - namely two of his Préludes Op. 11, youthful works, and his Sonata No. 2. "Chopin and Scriabin both have a beautiful way of making the piano sing," she remarks. "What I also love about Scriabin's music is its colorfulness. When he chooses a certain key, it is precisely that key and no other." Central to her program are three African American composers who are particularly close to Jeneba Kanneh-Mason's heart - Florence Price (1887-1953), Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) and William Grant Still (1895-1978) - each in their own way a pioneer of new forms of musical expression. Her affinity with Florence Price is palpable and goes back to her BBC Proms debut in 2021 with Price's Piano Concerto. "I was very grateful to be able to play Florence Price's music at the BBC Proms and I am very pleased that it is on my album. At many concerts where I have played her Fantasia in E minor, people came up to me after the performance and said: 'That was my favorite piece; I thought that was really beautiful.' I think that is because her music is very vulnerable and speaks directly to the heart." Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds - a student and friend of Florence Price and patroness of her music, who performed Price's concerto at the premiere in 1934 - is based on the spiritual Wade in the Water and combines syncopation, jazz influences and virtuoso challenges. "As a child I listened to it a lot. It was an easy decision for me to include it in my debut album," Jeneba Kanneh-Mason explains, referring to the rhythmic intensity in Bonds' work. Summerland by William Grant Still is a vision of paradise and suggests a similar musical world as the Préludes of Debussy for the pianist.

Reviews

Stereo.de 07/2025: "The British Kanneh-Mason family undoubtedly brings forth one talent after another, all seven children are excellent musicians. Now pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason steps into the spotlight with her debut album as a soloist. She not only performs works by the African American composers Florence Price, Margaret Bonds and William Grant Still, but also pieces by Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy and Alexander Scriabin. She is always searching for complex emotions. She shapes each piece with empathy and precision. Her playing is characterful, but does not rely on flashy effects."