Khachaturian: Children's Album, Books I & II - Şahan Arzruni, piano

Children's Album I, Op. 62 "Pictures of Childhood"
1 I. Andantino 01:47
2 II. No Walking Today 01:15
3 III. Ljado Is Sick 02:13
4 IV. The Birthday 01:20
5 V. Étude 01:21
6 VI. A Musical Picture 01:44
7 VII. Invention 02:47
8 VIII. Fugue 01:28
9 IX. Horseman's March 01:01
10 X. A Folk Song 02:11

Children's Album II "Sounds of Childhood"
11 I. Skipping 00:37
12 II. Bedtime Story 01:19
13 III. Eastern Dance 01:18
14 IV. Little Leopard on The Swing 01:20
15 V. Play on the Tambourine 01:08
16 VI. The Two Funny Aunties Have Quarrelled 01:12
17 VII. Funeral Procession 03:37
18 VIII. Rhythmic Gymnastics 01:02
19 IX. Fugue 01:36
20 X. Toccata 02:14

"Eem yerazheshdutyoones ghoshd eh." remarked Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian (1903-) , when I met him in early 1972. He says his music is coarse, straightforward and should be played without affected refinement. It is totally unpretentious, virile and strong. His emotions are to be projected without mannerism, in an uncluttered and completely unabashed way. The two albums recorded here give ample opportunity to sample Khachaturian's musical language and its attributes. Although composed for advanced youngsters, creatively they are sufficiently well-rounded to demand commitment from the listener. --from notes by Sahan Arzruni