Denis Kozhukhin: Somnia - COMPACT DISCS

Title: Somnia
Artist: Denis Kozhukhin
Label: Pentatone
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 8717306264068
Genre: Classical Artists
Release Date: 2025-05-23
Number of Discs: 1

This album, which Denis Kozhukhin dedicates in memory of his parents, is very special and deeply personal to him. It brings together the innocence of Tchaikovsky's Children's Album, the playful yet technically demanding Music for Children by Prokofiev, and Alexey Shor's emotionally rich Piano Sonata No. 2. Tchaikovsky's pieces evoke childhood wonder and the fragility of life, while Prokofiev's "easy" works cleverly disguise technical challenges with mischievous charm. Shor's Sonata, filled with bold contrasts and introspective melodies, takes the listener on a journey of emotional discovery and resilience. Together, these works transcend their individual stories to offer a profound exploration of human experience - from the simplicity of childhood to the complexities of adulthood - all brought to life with Kozhukhin's masterful artistry.A prize-winner in prestigious competitions, including the Leeds International Piano Competition (2006) and the Queen Elizabeth Competition (2010), Denis Kozhukhin, has established himself as one of the greatest and most acclaimed pianists, with worldwide success. He now presents another chapter to his exclusive collaboration with PENTATONE, enriching the already extensive discography, after albums Grieg and Tchaikovsky's piano concertos (2016) which received a Gramophone Editor's Choice, Brahms' Ballades and Fantasies (2017) which was awarded 5 stars in Diapason, piano concertos by Ravel and Gershwin, Richard Strauss' Burleske (both 2018), Grieg: Lyric Pieces & Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte (2019) which was selected as Gramophone's Recording of the Month, as well as the Cesar Franck's Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra (2020).

Tracks:
1.1 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 1, Morning
1.2 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 2, Promenade
1.3 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 3, A little story
1.4 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 4, Tarantella
1.5 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 5, Regret
1.6 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 6, Waltz
1.7 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 7, Parade of grasshoppers
1.8 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 8, The rain and the rainbow
1.9 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 9, Playing tag
1.10 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 10, March
1.11 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 11, Evening
1.12 Music for Children, Op. 65~No. 12, The moon strolls in the meadow
1.13 Piano Sonata No. 2~I. Moderato. Allegretto
1.14 Piano Sonata No. 2~II. Adagio con grazia
1.15 Piano Sonata No. 2~III. Molto Allegro con fuoco
1.16 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 1, Morning prayer
1.17 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 2, Winter morning
1.18 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 3, Playing hobby-horses
1.19 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 4, Mama
1.20 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 5, March of the wooden soldiers
1.21 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 6, The sick doll
1.22 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 7, The doll's funeral
1.23 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 8, Waltz
1.24 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 9, The new doll
1.25 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 10, Mazurka
1.26 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 11, Russian song
1.27 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 12, The accordion player
1.28 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 13, Kamarinskaya
1.29 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 14, Polka
1.30 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 15, Italian song
1.31 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 16, Old French song
1.32 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 17, German song
1.33 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 18, Neapolitan song
1.34 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 19, Nanny's story
1.35 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 20, The witch
1.36 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 21, Sweet dreams
1.37 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 22, Lark song
1.38 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 23, The organ-grinder sings
1.39 Children's Album, Op. 39~No. 24, In church