Credits:

Masako Nakai

Description:

From Polish tradition to the spirit of French cultureChopin refined his own music during his days in France, where he made friends with many artists, and established his own genre of piano music called "Chopin. The spirit of improvisation in his improvisations and ballades, in particular, became a creative benchmark for Debussy, and was the key to Chopin's rooting in French music. Chopin's masterpieces, which link Poland, France, and the future, are given a new luster by Masako Nakai. Masako Nakai (piano) studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris while attending the high school attached to the Tokyo University of the Arts. She graduated from the piano department at the top of her class with the unanimous first prize of the jury. After completing the third course of study, she won the third prize at the Geneva International Music Competition and the Special Prize for French Music at the Ron Thibaud International Music Competition, among others. She has given recitals in Japan and abroad, performed with numerous orchestras, and appeared on TV and radio broadcasts, as well as giving numerous lecture concerts and other performances. ALM RECORDS/Kojima Recording

Tracklisting:

1 IMPROMPTU IN A-FLAT MAJOR OP.29 / NAKAI MASAKO
2 IMPROMPTU IN F-SHARP MAJOR OP.36 / NAKAI MASAKO
3 IMPROMPTU IN G-FLAT MAJOR OP.51 / NAKAI MASAKO
4 IMPROMPTU NO.4 IN C-SHARP MINOR OP.66 'FANTAISIE-IMPROMPTU' / NAKAI MASAKO
5 BALLADE IN G MINOR OP.23 / NAKAI MASAKO
6 BALLADE IN F MAJOR OP.38 / NAKAI MASAKO
7 BALLADE IN A-FLAT MAJOR OP.47 / NAKAI MASAKO
8 BALLADE IN F MINOR OP.52 / NAKAI MASAKO