Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Sonate pour piano n° 1 en ré mineur, op. 28
Sonate pour piano n° 2 en si bémol mineur, op. 36
Etudes-Tableaux, op. 39

Ayham Hammour, piano

The two-disc album consists of recordings of works by Sergei Rachmaninoff – the first two sonatas and Études-Tableaux, Op. 39. Sonata No. 2 is one of the most frequently performed piano works, while both are characterized by an abundance of varied motifs and themes, with a predominance of tragic and melancholic moods. At times, the music is even mystical and philosophical. The Études- Tableaux are of a programmatic nature, although the composer allowed a personal interpretation of their contents. ‘Music is born in the heart and speaks to the heart,’ these are the words of Rachmaninoff himself, who thus emphasized the importance of personal reflection and emotional communication in music. This message is perfectly conveyed by a pianist born in Damascus, associated with the Polish musical community; he has outstanding technical skills, but puts them in second place. His interpretations are characterized by an exuberant expression, nostalgia, excellent time management (from restraint to bravado) and, above all, a precise shape of the multi-faceted structure of a given composition.