Maria
Shabashova

The most influential figures
in your professional development?

These are my parents, who changed their lives so that I could get the best musical education. Also, this is my teacher Olga Filippova, who opened up the world of harpsichord and baroque music in general to me. And finally, this is Teodor Currentzis, who has always believed in me as a musician and completely changed my understanding of music.

Music that describes your current state of being?

Peace Piece
by Bill Evans.

Do hammerklavier and piano scores differ fundamentally in performance?

The piano has the ability to adapt to any repertoire, whether it be music for a solo instrument or an orchestra. However, when comparing the hammerklavier and the grand piano, the latter may find it more difficult to replicate the transparent sound of the hammerklavier, as well as the lightness and liveliness of its texture in performance.

What will Baroque music lose
without the continuo part?

It’s like losing your essence, your foundation.

What is the one concert
you will never forget?

When I first performed in the production of The Indian Queen by Teodor Currentzis and Peter Sellars.

Music to describe the spirit of Utopia?

Ouverture Naïs by Jean-Philippe
Rameau.