Fanny Azzuro - Russian Impulse (2014) [Hi-Res]

Fanny Azzuro dedicates her first solo recording to Russian repertoire dear to her heart, from which she has chosen three contrasting works from the 20th century. Rachmaninov and Prokofiev need no introduction here but perhaps Nikolai Kapustin does. His works have been championed by many pianists including Marc André Hamelin and Yeol Eum Son. In his Variations Op. 41 Kapustin [b.1937, Ukraine] opens with a reference to the bassoon theme in 'The Rite of Spring'. The theme splits into variations in a quiet swing tempo and an interlude in bebop style with tributes to Erroll Garner and Count Basie. Those variations which follow propose a detour through Russian Romanticism before returning to virtuosity, and to jazz, in a bright pacy ending. Fanny Azzuro has won top prizes at numerous international piano competitions and often performs solo recitals and chamber music with world-renowned musicians. She studied with Théodore Paraskivesco, as well as with Pierre-Laurent Aimard and such eminent teachers as Boris Petrushansky, Aldo Ciccolini, Jacques Rouvier, Jean-François Heisser and Pascal Devoyon. She has performed in a creative duo with the jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan and as part of SpiriTango Quartet.