Distinguished Hungarian composer Sandor Balassa's philosophy on his music is that it 'has to be whole, beautiful, interesting and appealing; as natural as if it were this way since the beginning of time, and so that anyone can pick it up with a feeling of joy.' Balassa's uniquely sophisticated textures, timbres and lyrical style can be heard here in pieces for young pianists, remarkable works originally written for cimbalom, an din the Baroque references and sweeping momentum of the Szonatina No. 1. Istvan Kassai graduated as a pianist from the Budapest Academy of Music in 1982 studying in the class of Pal Kadosa. In 1984 he pursued a second diploma at the Conservatoire Europeen de Musique under the closer supervision of professor Yvonne Lefebure. He also undertook several master courses, including one led by Gyorgy Dziffra, who had a great impact on Kassai's artistic development. During his career, Kassai has won several first prizes in international competitions such as the International Piano Competition for Young Artists in 1972 in Czechoslovakia, the Piano Competition organized by Hungarian Radio in 1979, and the Paris International Debussy Piano Competition in 1982.

Tracklist:

5 Testvér, Op. 5: No. 1, Moderato, Poco Espressivo
5 Testvér, Op. 5: No. 2, Allegretto Movimento
5 Testvér, Op. 5: No. 3, Sostenuto, Pesante
5 Testvér, Op. 5: No. 4, Allegro Ma Non Troppo
5 Testvér, Op. 5: No. 5, Andante Cantabile
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 1, Moderato
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 2, Allegretto
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 3, Vivo
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 4, Andante
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 5, Movimento Con Moto
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 6, Cantabile Tranquillo
Levelek A Rezervátumból, Op. 87 (Version For Piano): No. 7, Presto
2 Piano Pieces, Op. 137: No. 1, Adagio
2 Piano Pieces, Op. 137: No. 2, Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 1, Pasztorál
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 2, Allegretto
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 3, Üzenet
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 4, Etűd
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 5, Horizont
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 6, Dallam
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 7, Legato
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 8, Kürtök És Trombiták
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 9, Különös Arc
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 10, Nyári Könnyu Szello
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 11, Allegro
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 12, Szelíden És Vadul
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 13, Egyszerű Ének
Ládafia, Vol. 1, Op. 113: No. 14, Fürge Játék
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 1, Prelúdium
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 2, Kicsi
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 3, Dombról Jövet
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 4, Capriccio
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 5, Borsószem
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 6, Elutasított Kérés
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 7, Csőlátó
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 8, Barlangban
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 9, Ugróiskola
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 10, Kápolna
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 11, Tánczene
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 12, Furcsa Pár
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 13, Titkos Kert
Ládafia, Vol. 2, Op. 120: No. 14, Posztludium
Piano Sonatina No. 1, Op. 23 No. 5: I. Andantino
Piano Sonatina No. 1, Op. 23 No. 5: II. Marciale, Con Movimento
Piano Sonatina No. 1, Op. 23 No. 5: III. Tranquillo Cantabile
Piano Sonatina No. 1, Op. 23 No. 5: IV. Veloce

UPC: 747313980321
Label: Grand Piano
Release Date: 5.10.19
Format: CD

Balassa / Kassai - Complete Piano Music 1 (CD)