{"product_id":"jean-paul-gasparian_origins_2024","title":"Origins","description":"A magnificent journey to the heart of Armenian pianistic heritage by the virtuoso Jean-Paul Gasparian, who here celebrates his roots. Some Dances by Komitas, the polyphonic intensity of Gasparian's Ballade, the desperate lyricism of the Adagio from Spartacus by Khachaturian, the tense chromatisms of the Sonata by Babadjanian: all strong moments of an intoxicating journey. \u003cbr\u003e In 2022, Jean-Paul Gasparian concluded his first album for naïve dedicated to Debussy (V7958, with the Preludes from Book 1 and the Estampes) with an unpublished transcription made by his father, of Rondes de printemps, the third of Debussy's Images for orchestra. It foreshadowed this new sonic journey, a trip to the heart of Armenia, elevated by the figure of Sayat-Nova, central to the entire Armenian nation. From his instrument, the kamântche, this bard and ashik of the 18th century distilled all his poetic knowledge through songs that became one of the cornerstones of Armenian culture. \u003cbr\u003e Three of the works presented here directly evoke Sayat-Nova, particularly the Ballade and Poème by Gérard Gasparian, placed at the center of this recital, following the sublime Élégie by Arno Babadjanian (1921-1983), a vibrant tribute to Aram Khachaturian who had just passed away in 1978 and who takes up another theme from Sayat-Nova. \u003cbr\u003e Beyond Sayat-Nova, and his deep attachment to his family origins – his father Gérard, born in Yerevan, settled in France in 1974 – Jean-Paul Gasparian especially celebrates in this new recording the purest spirit of Armenia, this rooting in popular tradition that he examines with euphoric joy throughout this musical hour, from the minimalist purity of Yerangi by Komitas to the polyphonic intensity of Gasparian's Ballade, from the desperate lyricism of the Adagio from Spartacus by Khachaturian to the tense chromatisms of the Sonata by Babadjanian. What absolute pleasure to rediscover such an ardent vision of Khachaturian's Toccata! Jean-Paul Gasparian transcribes all its primitive energy, its inexhaustible jubilation. Composed in 1989, with a very French inspiration, the Poème by Gérard Gasparian will be a true revelation: its incipit in the form of a barcarolle-lullaby, with an almost childlike tone, transforms into a grand, strong, tragic lament. \u003cbr\u003e Another foundation of Armenian heritage, the four Dances by Komitas proposed by the pianist (sensational Shushiki) give a delicious scent of authenticity to this program, which from the very first tracks – four extraordinary pieces by Babadjanian written between 1939 and 1952 – immediately announces the color. The piano of Jean-Paul Gasparian, literally flamboyant, aims to be choreographic: this journey in Armenia is in reality a virtuosic and swirling ball.","brand":"Jean-Paul Gasparian","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58542205895000,"sku":null,"price":23648396.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0898\/4943\/0360\/files\/3700187684440.jpg?v=1790116293","url":"https:\/\/vinyles.com\/en-us\/products\/jean-paul-gasparian_origins_2024","provider":"Vinyles.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}