Balassa: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 3
Sheet Music

SKU: NX.GP805

Composed by Sandor Balassa. Classical. CD. Naxos #GP805. Published by Naxos (NX.GP805).

UPC: 747313980529.

Sandor Balassa has stated that his music for piano 'has to evoke genuine emotions, recalling the abundance of a springtime meadow, giving us a feeling of richness, and inspiring a sense of adventure in us and touching our hearts'. In this third volume, which includes piano versions of pieces for harp and cimbalom, the sheer diversity of Balassa's imagination is amply illustrated, conjuring atmosphere and poignant recollections as well as demanding exceptional virtuosity. Balassa considers the closing Fantazia, Op. 97 to be his best piano work. Istvan Kassai graduated as a pianist from the Budapest Academy of Music in 1982 studying in the class of Pal Kadosa. In 1984 he pursued a second diploma at the Conservatoire Europeen de Musique under the close supervision of professor Yvonne Lefebure. He also undertook several master courses, including one led by Gyorgy Cziffra, who had a great impact on Kassai's artistic development. During his career, Kassai has won several first prizes in international competitions such as the International Piano Competition for Young Artists in 1972 in Czechoslovakia, the Piano Competition organized by Hungarian Radio in 1979, and the Paris International Debussy Piano Competition in 1982.