A selection of lucid, intimate, and short-form Rachmaninoff works, interpreted with pinpoint technical precision.

"Music is born only in the heart and it appeals only to the heart; it is Love! The sister of Music is Poesy, and its mother is Sorrow!"
These are the words Sergei Rachmaninoff used to describe his concept of music.

Sergei Babayan's interpretations of a selection of Rachmaninoff's short-form jewels mirror this heartfelt sentiment while also showing his deep and unsentimental understanding of the music.
Next to the Etudes-Tableux, the Preludes and Moments Musicaux, the album contains enchanting, lyrical song transcriptions.

This project shows Babayan's essence as an extraordinarily skillful pianist.
Babayan is one of the leading pianists of our time, hailed for his emotional intensity, bold energy and remarkable levels of color.

TRACK LIST
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

1 Prelude in A flat major op. 23/8 3:09
As-Dur Allegro vivace

2 Prelude in G sharp minor op. 32/12 2:41
gis-Moll Allegro

3 Lilacs op. 21/5 3:02
Flieder - Non allegro
Transcribed for solo piano by the composer

4 Prelude in F minor op. 32/6 1:18
f-Moll Allegro appassionato

5 Etude-Tableau in C minor op. 33/3 5:18
c-Moll Grave

6 Etude-Tableau in C minor op. 39/1 3:12
c-Moll Allegro agitato

7 Etude-Tableau in A minor op. 39/2 6:11
a-Moll Lento assai

8 Prelude in B minor op. 32/10 6:44
h-Moll Lento

9 Melody op. 21/9 3:57
Transcribed for solo piano by Arcadi Volodos

10 Morceau de fantaisie in G minor 0:52
Fantasiestuck g-Moll Allegro

11 Prelude in D major op. 23/4 4:54
D-Dur Andante cantabile

12 Etude-Tableau in E flat minor op. 39/5 5:30
es-Moll Appassionato

13 Andante 6:32
Movement III from Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor op. 19
Transcribed for solo piano by Arcadi Volodos

14 Moment musical in E flat minor op. 16/2 2:54
es-Moll Allegretto

15 Moment musical in C major op. 16/6 5:01
C-Dur Maestoso

SERGEI BABAYAN piano