Thoughts of home dominate much of the music Raffi Besalyan performs here. Rachmaninoff's B-Minor Prelude, inspired by Arnold Bocklin's painting 'The Return', was a constant companion in his exile, a favorite for his own recitals and a reminder of his years in Russia. Based in Moscow for much of his adult life, Arno Babajanian (1921-83) looked back to his native Armenia in music that mixed Rachmaninov and Chopinesque influences and Armenian folk idioms with the virtuosic pianism of the Russian school. Mr. Besalyan, an Armenian pianist based in the US, brings their music together in a program infused with warm memories, evocations of far off places, and reminders of earlier times. Raffi Besalyan made his formal New York debut in Carnegie Hall after winning the Artists Int'l Competition. He has established an international reputation as a magnetic and passionate recitalist, orchestral soloist, and chamber musician. A keyboard phenomenon that needs to be heard by everyone interested in pianists and the piano. - Fanfare Magazine A formidable pianist with a commanding presence and rich interpretive gifts. - American Record Guide.

Tracklist:

Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: No. 2. Prelude In C-Sharp Minor
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 In G Minor: Alla Marcia
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 6 In E-Flat Major: Andante
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 7 In C Minor: Allegro
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5 In G Major: Moderato
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 10 In B Minor: Lento
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 12 In G-Sharp Minor: Allegro
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 33: Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 33: No. 6 In E-Flat Minor: Non Allegro
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39: No. 1 In C Minor: Allegro Agitato
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39: No. 5 In E-Flat Minor: Appassionato
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39: No. 6 In A Minor: Allegro
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Theme: Andante
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 1: Poco Piu Mosso
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 2: L'istesso Tempo
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 3: Tempo Di Menuetto
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 4: Andante
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 5: Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 6: L'istesso Tempo
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 7: Vivace
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 8: Adagio Misterioso
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 9: Un Poco Piu Mosso
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 10: Allegro Scherzando
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 11: Allegro Vivace
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 12: L'istesso Tempo
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 13: Agitato
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Intermezzo
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 14: Andante (Come Prima)
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 15: L'istesso Tempo
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 16: Allegro Vivace
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 17: Meno Mosso
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 18: Allegro Con Brio
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 19: Piu Mosso, Agitato
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Variation 20: Piu Mosso
Variations On A Theme Of Corelli, Op. 42: Coda: Andante
Prelude
Melody And Humoresque: Melody And Humoresque: Melody
Elegy
Vagarshapat Dance

UPC: 053479218728
Label: Sono Luminus
Release Date: 3.31.15
Format: CD

Rachmaninoff / Raffi Besalyan - Raffi Besalyan - the Return (CD)