A Pianist Explores Her Jewish Heritage

With sparkling articulation reminiscent of the remarkable Alicia de Larrocha, pianist Pola Baytelman probes deeply to the heart of whatever music she plays. Keeping the composer's intent foremost, she plays with effortless technique, listening always. The press has called her playing "formidable" and having "a diaphanous touch." Baytelman is an active recitalist with a broad repertory that covers from the 18th to the 21st century. She has toured extensively in China, Europe, Hong Kong, South America and across the United States. Her performances have been broadcast on radio and television in Australia, Chile, China, the Czech Republic and the United States. She is well known for her performances of music by Spanish and Latin American composers. Baytelman has performed Albéniz monumental Iberia in tours of major US cities, and recorded a groundbreaking CD of Albéniz work in 1998 (Elan). She is also the author of a book on Albéniz's piano music published by Harmonie Park Press in Michigan. Born in Chile, Baytelman made her debut with the Chilean Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17 and has since performed with numerous orchestras, in the US and abroad. After graduating from the University of Chile's National Conservatory, Baytelman earned a Master's degree and an Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory in Boston as a pupil of Russell Sherman under a Fulbright grant. Her doctorate in piano performance is from the University of Texas, Austin where she studied with Nancy Garrett. She has also worked with Claude Frank and Menahem Pressler. Highly respected as an artist and educator, she has taught master classes in mainland China, England, Hong Kong and throughout the US. She is a sought-after judge for international competitions in both Europe and US as well as presenter-recitalist in conferences in the US and abroad. Pola Baytelman is Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at Skidmore College, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. where she was chosen to present the Moseley Lecture-Recital in 2006, the highest honor Skidmore faculty confers on a colleague. Her latest compact disc, "From Chile to Cuba, " was released by Albany Records in 2009. Baytelman's recording of Robert Schumann's Humoreske (2002 Centaur) was listed by American Record Guide as one of the top three performances of the classic work.