Piano recital, Golden Dreams, by Fanny Azzuro

On the programme:

Golden Dreams

SCRIABINE
24 Preludes op.11 (30')

CHOPIN
24 Preludes op.28 (35')

Programme for the eponymous album, to be released on 8 November 2024 by Naïve (Important number 24!) 24 Preludes by Scriabin (35') 24 Preludes by Chopin (43') The album was conceived as a mirror image of two compositions that are so similar yet so different. The poetic title refers to a quote by Liszt, in which he describes Chopin's Preludes as 'golden dreams', which I translate into English as Golden Dreams. Golden Dreams I immerse myself once again in the magical world of the Preludes, in the "golden dreams "* of Chopin and Scriabin. Chopin, the sensitive Polish Romantic poet; Scriabin, the modern Russian mystic who, following in Chopin's footsteps, composed his 24 Preludes, a youthful work with a bold new language, but with explicit references to Chopin's work. Two pianists, composers and poets in their own way, two different natures and two men so close to Rachmaninoff's heart, a reminder of my last recording programme. Indeed, the conception of this album echoes the previous one, The Landscapes of the Soul, 24 Preludes by Rachmaninoff, here with a mirror between the two works: Chopin facing Scriabin. My love of Russian music has never left me. Inspired by my mentor Boris Petrushansky, who recorded a little-played version of Scriabin's 24 Preludes, I remain fascinated by these mysterious, nostalgic worlds. At once tender reveries and surreal songs, in which we perceive an unconventional interplay of rhythms between affection and mystery, the fluidity of water and dramatic evocations, these short pieces are a truly colourful journey. A palette to unfold, wide-ranging different colours, golden touches, preludes that follow the same writing logic as Chopin's: major key, relative minor key, then ascending in cycles of fifths... Chopin's Preludes, so well known, so eloquent, so lyrical, so gentle and exalted, with this finesse of composition and this simple, pure romanticism, are above all lace. Is it any different from Rachmaninoff? Yes and no. Am I a great romantic? Maybe I am! *Chopin's Preludes are compositions in a class of their own. They are not just, as the title might suggest, pieces intended to be played as introductions to other pieces; they are poetic preludes, analogous to those of a great contemporary poet [Lamartine, says Eigeldinger], which lull the soul into golden dreams and lift it to ideal regions. Admirable in their diversity, the work and knowledge they contain can only be appreciated on close examination. Everything in them seems to have been created at the outset, in a rush, a sudden arrival. They have the free and grand allure that characterises works of genius. Liszt, on Chopin's Preludes Moreover, in Scriabin's work, the word "golden" may refer to the golden ratio. Indeed, "behind the simple formal schemes of [his works] (...) lurks a whole secret subterranean world of numerical proportions, golden sections and Fibonacian series quite analogous to the invisible geometry of Renaissance painters". (Scriabin and his quest for the Absolute!) dixit Manfred Kelkel in his book Alexandre Scriabine (Fayard)

Fanny Azzuro

In tune with the colour...

Born into a family of musicians from Italy, and a prizewinner in international competitions, Fanny Azzuro imagines sounds bursting with colour, in the memory of landscapes illuminated by warm lights. Her interpretations today are imbued with the sunshine of Romanticism and the works of the first half of the 20th century.

The world of sound that emerges from the fingers of this Yamaha artist is nourished by encounters. First of all, the master with whom Fanny Azzuro studied for many years, pianist Boris Petrushansky. Then there are the far-flung journeys, stirring up emotions from Djibouti to Brazil, via Asia and New York's Carnegie Hall. Since then, she has been transcribing her travel diaries to the stage, sometimes in the dazzling hues of Ravel, sometimes in the hushed tones of Debussy and Albéniz, the three great 'travellers' brought together on the CD. 1905 Impressions. Equally fascinated by the Slavic repertoire, she has explored its spells in several albums: Russian Impulse then the exploration of endless territories, those of the Preludes by Rachmaninov in the disc entitled Landscapes of the soul. Other preludes by Chopin and Scriabin are featured in his latest recording. Golden Dreams.

Fanny Azzuro is a narrator who invites the listener on a journey with multiple resonances. She leads them alone or in the company of other artists and major chamber music ensembles. In this way, she rubs shoulders with today's most remarkable soloists, quartets, string and wind instrumentalists, percussionists... She enriches the vast universe of classical music with happy stops between jazz and tango, which she is passionate about as a member of the SpiriTango Quartet.

Fanny Azzuro's repertoire is not scattered. Rather, she expresses a desire to delve deeper into the beauties of a particular musical era. Correspondences between works emerge naturally over time. The Naïve label now accompanies her on this promising journey.