Russian-born pianist Varvara Tarasova has recorded her debut solo disc - with Champs Hill records having won 1st prize at the 2015 Sussex International Piano Competition. Varvara speaks of her ambitions behind the disc: 'Since the beginning of my professional life, I always dreamed of playing the work of Brahmshis music is deeply intense and emotionally very strongsimilar with Schumann but for another reason the bright images and wide range of characters from his Carnival Op. 9 grab the audiences attention and the music impresses with its perfection and variety.' Born in St. Petersburg, this gifted and charismatic pianist is currently an Artistic Diploma student at the Royal College of Music and a Soirée dOr Scholar. As well as her success at the Sussex International Piano Competition (where she also won the audience prize), Tarasova also has a huge number of other prizes under her belt from competitions in Spain, France, Germany and Italy. 'She is a truly highly talented pianist, an exquisitely refined, bright and earnest musician. Her performances are always marked by the brightness of ideas, absolute sincerity, depth of comprehension and impeccable sense for style.' Elena Kuznetsova (pianist & professor at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory)