Illia Ovcharenko, the 2022 Honens Prize Laureate, presents Whispers & Thunder

Pianist debuts on the Steinway & Sons label with music by composers from his native Ukraine (Levko Revutsky and Valentin Silvestrov), and sonatas by Scarlatti and Liszt

Available Sept. 5 on all major streaming platforms

“It is important to me that I represent my culture and tell my story through the music and places that shaped who I am.” — Illia Ovcharenko

New York City, August 13, 2025—Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko, the 2022 Honens International Piano Competition laureate, praised as “technically flawless and impeccably musical” by International Piano, makes his Steinway & Sons label debut with Whispers & Thunder, available Sept. 5 through all streaming services.

“This program is a deeply personal narrative divided into two parts: current times and memories with reflections,” writes Ovcharenko in his introductory note. He continues: 

“It begins with a portrait of the current times: a prayer, much like the gentle opening of Scarlatti's Sonata, K 87. The music then erupts into a monumental struggle reminiscent of the epic conflict found in Liszt’s Sonata, ultimately ending quietly in uncertainty, colored by ashes left behind after Scarlatti’s Sonata, K 27.

Photo courtesy of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition

“The second half of the program features works by Levko Revutsky and Valentin Silvestrov, born in Chernihiv and Kyiv, Ukraine, respectively, the two cities I consider hometowns. My musical and cultural heritage was formed in these cities, a line of influence paralleled by the composers’ own personal connection to each other, as Revutsky was one of Silvestrov’s teachers.”

To find out more about the album, click here.

Whispers & Thunder

Scarlatti | Liszt | Revutsky | Silvestrov

[1] Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757).......................... Sonata in B minor, K 87 (4:59)
[2] Franz Liszt (1811-1886) ..................................... Sonata in B minor, S 178 (31:37)
[3] Domenico Scarlatti ............................................ Sonata in B minor, K 27 (2:46)
[4] Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937) ............................... Bagatelle, Op. 1 No. 1 (3:18)
[5] Levko Revutsky (1889-1977) .............................. Prelude in D flat major, Op. 4 No. 1 (2:23)
[6] Levko Revutsky ................................................. Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 4 No. 3 (0:53)
[7] Valentin Silvestrov ............................................. Bagatelle, Op. 1 No. 2 (3:58)
[8] Levko Revutsky ................................................. Prelude in F sharp minor, Op. 4 No. 2 (2:09)
[9] Levko Revutsky.................................................. Prelude in B flat minor, Op. 7 No. 2 (1:16)
[10] Levko Revutsky ............................................... Prelude in E flat major, Op. 7 No. 1 (2:48)
[11] Valentin Silvestrov ........................................... Bagatelle, Op. 1 No. 3 (4:11)
[12] Levko Revutsky ............................................... Sonata in B minor, Op. 1 (13:01)

Playing Time: 73:25

Illia Ovcharenko, piano

Credit: Monique de St. Croix

Recorded January 31- February 1, 2024 at Sono Luminus Studios, Boyce, Virginia
Producer: Dan Merceruio
Engineer: Joshua Frey
Mixing and Mastering: Daniel Shores

More about Illia Ovcharenko
Illia Ovcharenko is one of the world’s most celebrated young pianists. He won the 2022 Honens International Piano Competition, one of the most prestigious events of its kind, for embodying Honens’ ideal of The Complete Artist through his technical mastery, perseverance, and intellectual and emotional understanding of music. Ovcharenko has also received prizes at more than 20 competitions throughout the world. These include, in the last four years, first prize at the New York International Piano Competition, second prize at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, first prize at “Prix du Piano” Bern International Competition, and the Michelangeli Prize of the Eppan Piano Academy.

Ovcharenko plays in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Konzerthaus Berlin, Salle Bourgie in Montréal, and Salle Cortot in Paris. He has also been an artist in the prestigious Classeek Ambassador Programme.

Highlights of Ovcharenko’s 2025-26 season include performances at Wigmore Hall in London; Philharmonie de Paris, Klavierfestival “Le Piano Symphonique,” in Lucerne, Switzerland; National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice, Poland; Concertgebouw Amsterdam; Konzerthaus Berlin; Nova Scotia Symphony; and Bravo! Vail Music Festival. He will also perform on tour with the Orchestre National d'Île-de-France and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.

His latest recital album, Litany, was released on the Discauvers label; Classique c'est cool praised Ovcharenko’s “intelligently constructed program,” and “perfectly mastered technique.” The album received five diapasons in Diapason and was praised by Pianiste magazine. Live at Honens 2022, Ovcharenko’s debut album, features music by Mozart, Beethoven, and Alberto Ginastera. Visit illiaovcharenko.com. 

About the Steinway & Sons label
The Steinway & Sons music label produces exceptional albums of solo piano music across all genres. The label—a division of Steinway & Sons, maker of the world’s finest pianos—is a perfect vessel for producing the finest-quality recordings by some of the most talented pianists in the world. Visit steinway.com/music-and-artists/label.

Credit: Vere Music Fund

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