The Polish pianist Elżbieta Sternlicht, a student of Zbigniew Drzewiecki and Vlado Perlemuter, has recorded the complete piano works of J. Koffler for the label Acte Préalable – and for this she deserves special recognition.
In her interpretation, the pianist coaxed a wide palette of colourful nuances out of Koffler’s work, making the hitherto unknown pieces accessible in an extremely appealing manner.
The world premier recording of J. Koffler’s piano works is undoubtedly a commendable achievement. The recordings were made possible by the charitable foundations Waldemar Koch Stiftung and Stiftung ZURÜCKGEBEN.
Ruch Muzyczny, Warsaw, 13 November 2005Elżbieta Sternlicht strides towards her grand piano. For a brief moment, her fingers pause tonelessly on the keys, then they suddenly rush off. Fantasia is the name of the piece. An ominous rumble of low notes fills the hall. A few bars later, it develops into a roundel of clear, well-sorted notes that finally disappears in a whirl of romantic virtuosity. The pianist uses her piano to bring to life music that has hitherto been unknown to most of this evening’s listeners.
Jan Hobohm
Märkische Oderzeitung, 15 November 2005