Nikolai Kapustin's music fuses the jazz idiom with classical forms and performance practices, creating precisely notated pieces for concert pianists.
Recording & Production
The Techno Etudes by Karen Tanaka were recorded with a drier, closer sound than other pieces on the album, specifically at the composer's request.
Performer Biography
Pianist Maiko Mori, despite her classical training, developed an interest in gaming, which expanded her understanding of composition and influenced her album choices.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album's program, performed by Maiko Mori, demonstrates how classical music's boundaries have always intersected with other styles like jazz and computer game music.
Composer Biography
Nikolai Kapustin, a composer from the USSR, was deeply influenced by American jazz, which he encountered despite the Iron Curtain.
Composer Biography
Masashi Hamauzu, a composer on this album, transitioned from aspiring classical performer to composing music for video games, including the popular Final Fantasy series.
