Lola Astanova

Youtube homepage: http://www.youtube.com/user/LolaAstanova

This is a very passionate young pianist with amazing skills, power and speed. She's also good in composition. The following two are in the style of Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev, which in her words, is a kind of music joke of distorted baroque/classical arrangement.

Here's her version on Rihanna's "Don't stop the music":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqorloj2YZY
I can listen to this many times without stop, without feel bored.

Another one of her version on Madonna's "Music":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pfeohQSaS8

Rachmaninoff Moment Musicaux No. 4 in E:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEd8AZX5dQ

Lola was born in former USSR. She started learning piano at 6 and began on-stage performance at 8. She received MS in piano major from Rice University and now resides in New York.

Other very good young female pianists include Valentina Lisitsa and Valentina Igoshina. But I'd prefer Lola Astanova.