Un Sospiro (A Sigh) / Classical piano master pieces II

"Un sospiro - Classical Piano Masterpieces II" brings together 29 well-loved classical piano pieces.
Opening with Beethoven's "Turkish March", the album travels through ten more composers and closes with "The Great Gate of Kiev" from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition".
Piano: Kiyotsugu Arai

Tracklist
1. Beethoven: Turkish March
From the incidental music "The Ruins of Athens". A light, humorous piece.
2. Chopin: Waltz No.2 in A-flat major, Op.34-1 "Valse brillante"
A festive introduction leads into a glittering waltz.
3. Chopin: Waltz No.7 in C-sharp minor
Op.64 No.2. A wistful melody alternating with flowing episodes.
4. Chopin: Etude Op.10-3 "Tristesse"
Chopin reportedly called it his most beautiful melody.
5. Chopin: Nocturne No.20 in C-sharp minor
Posthumous; widely known from the film "The Pianist".
6. Chopin: Nocturne No.1 in B-flat minor
Op.9 No.1. A melancholy song over a gently rocking left hand.
7. Chopin: Polonaise No.6 "Heroic"
Op.53. The Polish dance turned into a grand, heroic statement.
8. Chopin: Ballade No.4 in F minor
Op.52. Often regarded as the greatest of his four ballades.
9. Chopin: Etude Op.25-11 "Winter Wind"
Storm-like torrents of notes in the right hand.
10. Chopin: Prelude No.7 in A major
From the 24 Preludes, Op.28. A miniature lasting under a minute.
11. Mozart: Twelve Variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman"
K.265. The melody known as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in twelve guises.
12. Mozart: Fantasia in D minor, K.397
From a dark, improvisatory opening to a bright close in D major.
13. Handel: Ombra mai fu
The aria from the opera "Serse", also known as "Handel's Largo".
14. J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude No.8 in E-flat minor, BWV 853
A sorrowful, prayer-like melody unfolds.
15. J.S. Bach: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
The organ chorale prelude in Busoni's piano transcription.
16. Mahler: Adagietto
The 4th movement of Symphony No.5, famous from the film "Death in Venice".
17. Satie: Gnossienne No.1
A mysterious melody written without bar lines.
18. Satie: Gymnopedie No.1
A slow, floating waltz of quiet, pale colours.
19. Faure: Sicilienne
Op.78. The graceful dance best known in its version for cello and piano.
20. Debussy: Golliwogg's Cakewalk
The finale of "Children's Corner", full of ragtime rhythms.
21. Debussy: Reverie
A soft, dreamy early piece.
22. Debussy: Jardins sous la pluie
From "Estampes". Gardens in the rain, with French nursery tunes peeking through.
23. Debussy: Arabesque No.1
An early favourite with flowing triplets.
24. Debussy: La fille aux cheveux de lin
From Preludes, Book 1. A simple, tender melody.
25. Debussy: Clair de lune
From the "Suite bergamasque". Delicate, moonlit harmonies.
26. Liszt: Un sospiro
The third of the Three Concert Etudes. The hands take turns passing the melody back and forth.
27. Liszt: Consolation No.3
The third of six "Consolations". A calm, prayerful song.
28. Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-sharp minor
Op.3 No.2. Written at 19, nicknamed "The Bells" for its heavy, tolling chords.
29. Mussorgsky: The Hut on Fowl's Legs - The Great Gate of Kiev
The last two pictures of "Pictures at an Exhibition": the witch's hut, then the grand gate.