Aram Khachaturian, a prominent composer with Armenian roots, admired Koharik Gazarossian's Preludes and Etudes, calling them first-class works.
The 24 Etudes by Koharik Gazarossian run chromatically through all 24 keys, a plan that recalls cycles by composers like Bach, Chopin, and Liszt.
Koharik Gazarossian composed her 24 Etudes in 1958, dedicating each to a different individual of personal significance to her.
Koharik Gazarossian's 24 Etudes reflect Armenian folk music, incorporating melodies collected by composer Komitas.
Nare Karoyan, the pianist on this recording, studied at the Paris Conservatoire and with teachers like Paul Dukas and Lazare Lévy.
Koharik Gazarossian, an Armenian composer, was born in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1907 and later moved to Paris for her musical education.
Several of the 24 Etudes on this album are world premiere recordings, indicated by an asterisk next to their titles.
