Review by Lori Pilla

Cyprien Katsaris' album "Rachmaninoff Chopin Liszt Bach Schumann Beethoven Variations" is a stunning display of virtuosity and musicality. This masterful pianist has chosen a selection of some of the most challenging and beloved works from the classical repertoire, and he performs them with technical precision and emotional depth.

The album begins with Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme of Corelli, which Katsaris plays with a powerful sense of drama and intensity. He brings out the rich harmonic textures of the piece, and his fingers fly across the keyboard with effortless grace. Next, he tackles Chopin's Variations on "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni, imbuing the music with a tender lyricism and a sense of playful charm.

Katsaris' performance of Liszt's Variations on a Theme from Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium is a highlight of the album. He captures the grandeur and majesty of the piece, and his cascading runs and thunderous chords create a thrilling sense of excitement. He then moves on to Schumann's Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13, which he plays with a delicate touch and a nuanced sense of phrasing.

Summary by Lori Pilla

The album concludes with Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, a monumental work that Katsaris handles with great skill and sensitivity. He brings out the humor and wit of the variations, as well as the profound emotion that lies beneath the surface. "Rachmaninoff Chopin Liszt Bach Schumann Beethoven Variations" is a tour de force of pianistic artistry, and a must-have for any classical music lover.