About this Release
“The music of Arno Babadjanian has been the companion of my life and at the same time a dialogue with the Author, which has been emotionally enriching and transforming into a concept and an indivisible part of my worldview since the beginning of my career. The performance of his piano pieces is a process of self–identification and identification with the universal feelings, extremely passionate and touching.” — Hayk Melikyan
BABADJANIAN, ARNO (1921–1983)
Complete Original Works for Piano Solo
- Hayk Melikyan, piano
Alexander Arutiunian was one of the most prominent composers in the USSR, one of the representatives of the Armenian ‘Mighty Handful’ and much admired by Shostakovich. An accomplished pianist, Arutiunian created virtuoso piano works that are rooted in Armenian folk traditions while expressing, in the words of Hayk Melikyan, “a rich palette of emotions reflecting both his time and the history of his nation”. From the Armenian Dance of 1935, with its delicate, transparent texture and strong rhythmic drive, via the more dissonant, neoclassical Polyphonic Sonata, the descriptive Musical Pictures, and the almost Debussyan approach to tonality in the Six Moods, to the simple and beautifully crafted Album for Children of 2004, the works on this recording, the first complete edition, span Arutiunian’s entire compositional career.
This recording was made on a modern instrument: Blüthner One Concert Grand Piano
Tracklist
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Polyphonic Sonata (1947) (00:10:24 )
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1
I. Prelude (00:01:05)
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2
II. Fugue (00:07:15)
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3
III. Toccata (00:04:29)
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6 Kartin (6 Pictures) (1965) (00:13:00 )
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4
No. 1. Improvisation (00:02:17)
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5
No. 2. Folk Song (00:01:31)
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6
No. 3. Toccatina (00:01:52)
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7
No. 4. Intermezzo (00:01:37)
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8
No. 5. Chorale (00:03:59)
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9
No. 6. Sassoun Dance (00:02:41)
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Melody and Humoresque (1973) (00:04:05 )
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10
Melody (00:02:32)
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11
Humoresque (00:01:54)
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12
Elegy (1978) (00:03:45)
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13
Reflection (1973) (00:02:23)
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14
Prelude () (00:01:43)
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15
Vagharshapat Dance (1947) (00:01:45)
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16
Impromptu, "Exprompt" (1936) (00:02:49)
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17
Capriccio (1951) (00:04:49)
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18
Poem (1966) (00:06:36)
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The Artist(s)
Praised by Fanfare magazine, Hayk Melikyan is recognised internationally by classical music audiences and critics alike as one of Armenia’s most versatile and imaginative musicians and among today’s most engaging virtuoso pianists. The Composer(s)
Babadjanian spent much of his time teaching and giving concerts. His extraordinary Piano Trio was competed in 1952 and was followed in 1954 by his orchestral Poem-Rhapsody. The Sonata for Violin and Piano was produced in 1959, followed by the Cello Concerto, which was written for and dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich. Among his last compositions were the Six Pictures for Piano (1965), the Third String Quartet (1979) and the Nocturne for piano and symphonic jazz ensemble (1981). Reviews
“This is an exemplary introduction to the music of Babadjanian.” – Fanfare
“Melikyan’s performances are very good…” – American Record Guide
“Here is more extremely good and fulfilling work done by Grand Piano with a well documented and recorded recital played to the manner born by Hayk Melikyan.” – MusicWeb International
Also Available
Grand Piano has gained a reputation for producing high quality recordings of rare keyboard gems. Dedicated to the exploration of undiscovered piano repertoire, the label specialises in complete cycles of piano works by many lesser-known composers, whose output might otherwise have remained unknown and unrecorded.
- info@grandpianorecords.com
