Arabesque Nicolas Namoradze

• Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856): 5 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133:
• 1 Schumann: 5 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: No. 1, Im ruhigen Tempo 03:17
• 2 Schumann: 5 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: No. 2, Belebt, nicht zu rasch 02:22
• 3 Schumann: 5 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: No. 3, Lebhaft 02:44
• 4 Schumann: 5 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: No. 4, Bewegt 02:27
• 5 Schumann: 5 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: No. 5, Im Anfange ruhiges, im Verlauf bewegtes Tempo 03:21
• Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18:
• 6 Schumann: Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 06:51
• Nicolas Namoradze (b. 1992): Arabesque for Piano:
• 7 Namoradze: Arabesque for Piano 05:50
• Robert Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20:
• 8 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: Einfach 05:19
• 9 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: Hastig 04:54
• 10 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: Einfach und zart 04:52
• 11 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: Innig 02:40
• 12 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: Sehr lebhaft - Mit einigem Pomp 03:37
• 13 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: Zum Beschluss 06:02
• Nicolas Namoradze: Etude No.:
• 14 Namoradze: Etude No. 1 (Major Scales) 01:40
• 15 Namoradze: Etude No. 2 (Mostly Triads) 01:38
• 16 Namoradze: Etude No. 3 (Moving Mirrors) 02:12
• Total Runtime 59:46

Info for Arabesque

As an introduction to these recordings Namoradze writes: "This album presents some of my reflections on the work of Robert Schumann, from both pianistic and compositional viewpoints. The program is centered on two arabesques, and the structure of the recital is itself reminiscent of an arabesque-like texture, interleaving Schumann’s work with my own. The opening sunrise of Schumann’s Songs of Dawn is followed by a pair of arabesques, Schumann’s work exerting an influence on aspects of the formal structure of my piece of the same name. Two considerably more virtuosic and extroverted selections complete the program: Schumann’s monumental Humoreske, followed by three of my piano etudes."

Nicolas Namoradze, piano

Nicolas Namoradze
Pianist and composer Nicolas Namoradze, whose performances have been hailed by critics as “sparkling … sensitive and coloristic” (New York Times) and “simply gorgeous” (Wall Street Journal), came to international attention in 2018 upon winning the triennial Honens International Piano Competition in Calgary, Canada—the largest piano prize in the world. The Calgary Herald called him “unparalleled” and “a pianist’s pianist” stating: “Namoradze is not the conventional competition pianist, but his individuality was evident from the outset. While he certainly has the virtuosity to spare, he gained the top spot through his remarkable clarity of execution, refinement and variety of tone, and his uncanny ability to make even the most ordinary passagework sound meaningful and distinctive … The refinement of his playing was of international standard, and everywhere his interpretative skills commanded attention and admiration.”

As 2018 Honens Prize Laureate, Namoradze’s upcoming activities include debut recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, and Konzerthaus Berlin, recordings on the Honens, Steinway, and Hyperion labels, performances with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, and residencies at leading festivals and music centers around the world such as the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Highlights of the past season include performances at New York City’s Chelsea Music Festival as a featured composer and pianist, commissions for ensembles such as the Barkada and Verona Quartets, and a series of recitals with violinist Rolf Schulte. Namoradze also composed and produced the soundtracks for Walking Painting, a film by Fabienne Verdier, and Nuit d’opéra à Aix, a short film made in association with the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.

Enthusiastic of innovative programs and technologies that expand the reach of classical music around the world, Namoradze has been closely associated with Juilliard Global Ventures: he has represented Juilliard students in the Julliard-Nord Anglia Performing Arts Program, features in the most-watched episode of Juilliard Open Studios with his teacher, Emanuel Ax, and appears as a guest educator on the history of the piano for Juilliard edX courses. Nicolas Namoradze’s interest in contemporary music and lesser-known works of the piano repertoire has led him to present original and exciting programs including Godowsky’s infamous Studies on Chopin Études, sets of Ligeti Études, rarities such as Dvořák’s Piano Concerto, and many works by his contemporaries.

After completing his undergraduate studies in Budapest, Vienna, and Florence, Nicolas moved to New York for his master’s at Juilliard. He now pursues his Doctorate at the CUNY Graduate Center holding the Graduate Center Fellowship. His teachers have included Emanuel Ax, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Zoltán Kocsis, Matti Raekallio, and Elisso Virsaladze in piano, and John Corigliano in composition. Namoradze serves on the faculty of Queens College. He is also on the Executive Advisory Council of The Drozdoff Society as Special Project Leader, developing curricula for courses in piano and composition for its partnerships with El Sistema-based music schools.

Booklet for Arabesque