NEWS POST:
SOMM Announces Signing of Burkard Schliessmann
SOMM Recordings is delighted to announce the exclusive signing of the German pianist Burkard Schliessmann.
Burkhard Schliessmann, recipient of the renowned Goethe-Prize of Frankfurt/(2019/20), is one of the most compelling pianists and artists of the modern era. He has received numerous prizes and awards of merits for his piano interpretations, having studied under Herbert Seidel, Shura Cherkassky, Bruno Leonardo Gelber and Poldi Mildner.
Schliessmann’s first album for SOMM will include works by Beethoven, Weber, Franck, Scriabin and Chopin. The recording will take place in May 2025 in the renowned teldex-studios in Berlin with recording producer Julian Schwenkner, with whom Schliessmann has a long term collaboration and friendship. SOMM will release the recording in the Autumn of 2025.
Siva Oke, Recording Producer and CEO of SOMM Recordings said:
“I am truly delighted that Burkard Schliessmann will be joining us at SOMM and we much look forward to welcoming him. His recordings for Divine Art have garnered wonderful reviews and his presence in the SOMM catalogue is sure to add extra sparkle to a very special collection of pianists ranging from past legends — Noel Mewton-Wood, Moura Lympany, Peter Katin and Valerie Tryon, to present-day stars such as Peter Donohoe, Leon McCawley, Mark Bebbington, Clélia Iruzun and Rebeca Omordia.
[I would also remind readers of SOMM's disc with Michka Rushdie Momen's Variations disc: see this post]
Burkard Schliessmann brings to his performances and recordings a combination of virtuosity, rich poetry and strong intellect which have singled him out as an exceptional interpreter of the classical and romantic repertoire. Bach, Beethoven and Brahms as well as Chopin and Mendelsshohn.
Our first meeting to discuss repertoire revealed an artist of passionate conviction, a colourful, kaleidoscopic personality and great charisma – a true breath of fresh air. Burkard Schliessmann, welcome on board!”
Burkard Schliessmann said:
It’s a great honour to be a new exclusive signing artist of the World-renowned British independent classical recording label SOMM Recordings.
When I met the CEO Siva Oke in London in the “Caffè Concerto Green Park” in the afternoon of August 7 in London, we immediately had a common connection in music and arts. I was impressed by her outstanding artistic background and the fact that she herself is also an artist and pianist. The depth of our conversation led to an almost immediate and spontaneous decision to sign up with the label.