Virtuoso
Navona, 2021
8/10
Even though he’s just a teenager, Dmitry Ishkhanov plays like a seasoned vet, and his talent with the piano appears boundless as he interprets the work of Frédéric Chopin on this very accomplished listen.
“4 Mazurkas Op. 17” opens the listen with 4 chapters that showcase Ishkhanov’s agile and alluring skills that flow with much attention to detail and melody across the elegant pieces, and “Nocturne Op. 27 no. 1” follows with a stirring, dreamy appeal that builds into a firm and captivating landscape of timeless classical sounds.
The album concludes with “Études, Op. 25”, where the dancing keys weave in and out of rich moments, bouncy bouts and very swift, charming manipulation that hardly seems possible from someone just 16 years old.
Often considered Chopin’s most meaningful and most difficult compositions to play, the Russian virtuoso Ishkhanov makes it appear effortless as he shifts from track to track with finesse, grace and a playfulness that rivals some of best who have ever pulled up a seat to the piano.
Travels well with: Kristina Marinova- 4 Rhapsodies; Pavel Gintov- Piano Fantasies