MURAD KAZHLAEV (b. 1931)

PIANO MUSIC

CHISATO KUSUNOKI

“My encounter with the music of Murad Kazhlaev and subsequently the composer himself have been life changing experience for me. My love of his music and our friendship continues to deepen, and in my opinion, he is one of the greatest surviving composers of the Soviet tradition not yet widely known in the West. Born in 1931 in Baku and growing up in his native land Dagestan, Russia, Kazhlaev has been considered as one of the leading composers of Caucasus. His sincere, generous and humane soul are the essence of all his music whether it is a serious classical work or light film music. I chose these repertoires of varied styles which demonstrate his passion for native Caucasus culture, jazz, popular and film music. He is exceptional in that he can connect with any kind of audience of any age. I hope very much that the music on this CD will enlighten listeners’ souls as they did for me.” – Chisato Kusunoki

About this Recording

This recording charts a two-decade period in the musical life of the eminent Dagestani composer, teacher and conductor, Murad Kazhlaev. He has always written with idiomatic flair for his own instrument, the piano, from the early Romantic Sonatina to the beautiful folk themes that make up the Dagestan Album. His nonchalant wit can be savoured in Picture Pieces whilst expressive beauty permeates the Six Preludes.

CHISATO KUSUNOKI

CHISATO KUSUNOKI’s style of playing reflects her interest and study of pianists such as Ignaz Friedman and Benno Moiseiwitsch. Born in Germany, she read music at University College, Oxford, where she graduated with the prestigious Gibbs Prize in performance. Thereafter she completed her postgraduate performance diploma with a distinction at the Royal Academy of Music. She studied with Nicholas Austin and Hamish Milne and has also worked with Dmitri Bashkirov, Alexander Satz, Rosalyn Tureck and Ronald Stevenson. Chisato Kusunoki performs regularly in many of the world’s finest venues and concert series, both in recital and with orchestra including South Bank Centre, London, Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo, Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore and Wigmore Hall, London. She has also toured extensively in Germany, Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus and the Far East. She has made a particular study of the music of Medtner and Kazhlaev music, and was invited by Murad Kazhlaev to his birth place Baku, where she gave a concert at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall. She then travelled with him and his wife to their family homeland, Makhachkala. Whilst there she played at the Makhachkala Murad Kazhlaev School of Music for Talented Children (founded by the composer) and at the Makhachkala Philharmonic Hall. Chisato Kusunoki has given further concerts of Kazhlaev’s music in Moscow and their friendship continues to this day.

chisatokusunoki.com