“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
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
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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“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