Скачать или смотреть Khachaturian: Children's Album II: Little Leopard on the Swing

The two albums recorded here give ample opportunity to sample Khachaturian's musical language and its attributes. Although composed for student-pianists, creatively there are sufficiently well-rounded to demand commitment from the listener. The first album, composed in 1947 (also published in the unauthorized title "The Adventures of Ivan"), begins with Andantino — a very simple melody accompanied by chromatically moving left hand; a rather ordinary practice which here sounds fresh and novel.

The last composition in this album, In the Folk Idiom, has the nature of a dancing song. It has the distinct character of songs that accompany young girls engaged in Armenian dance. It is subtle and the base implicative of the sound of the dumbek.

The second album, composed in 1965, opens with cheerful Skipping. A contrast of touch is the main element in this breezy tune. The concluding piece, Toccata, is technically the most demanding. Perpetually moving forte eight notes, continuously jagged rhythms, and accents make this Moto perpetuo a fascinating work. Generally speaking, the second album has harsher dissonances, more angular melodies, and sharper rhythms.

Aram Khachaturian plays an important part in the musical life of his country. In addition to composing, he was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory and also conducted his own works throughout the world.

Pianist ŞAHAN ARZRUNI is a Steinway artist

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Recording Engineer: Richard Gardner
Tape Editor: Don van Gordon
Remastering: Tom Lazarus

Originally released in 1972