SPANISH PIANO MUSIC (GOYESCAS / VARIATIONS ON A THEME OF CHOPIN)

SPANISH PIANO MUSIC
The pieces represented on this CD are more than simply two important works of piano repertoire. They are a personal confession, a way to express my interest and love for Spain, where I spent a decade immersed in this colorful country’s daily life, culture and music.  A lot has been written about Enrique Granados, especially during the last two years, which marked his death and birth anniversaries.  The dimension and the depth of his creative genius is so immense that one can endlessly dive inside this intricate ocean. The cycle Goyescas which means "In the manner of Goya’ is the summit of Granados’s musical and compositional research and inventiveness. Under the title "Los majos enamorados" (The gallants in Love), the six pieces of the Suite portray Spain in the times of Francisco de Goya.

While reflecting on Goyescas I visited Prado Museum in Madrid often, looking for answers in the painting of Goya. I discovered the light and shadow, the ‘requiebros’, the gallants, love and death,  the people, and many other inspiring elements. It is fascinating how Granados embraces Goya’s palette in vivid depictions and paints with sound a story of love which starts with the tonal, luminous and positive Requiebros (The Compliments) and is gradually obscured until reaching the Spectral Epilog where the tonal references are most diluted. Each revisit of Goyescas is a new adventure for me. It is constant exploration of new ways of expression, another attempt to reach liberty within structure which is such a distinctive characteristic of Granados’s music.

Sofya Melikyan
Hailed for her "magnificent singing line and an exquisite artistic sensibility", Armenian-born pianist Sofya Melikyan toured throughout Europe, USA, Canada, Cuba, China, Japan and Australia with performances at such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Palace of Festivals in Santander, Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, Armenian Philharmonic Hall, Jordan Hall in Boston, Salle Cortot in Paris, among many others. She appeared as a soloist with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra of Spain, Cordoba Symphony Orchestra, Valencia Symphony Orchestra, Master Symphony Orchestra in Valencia, New Europe Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra of Andalucía, Spanish National Youth Orchestra.