The Chopin Zyklus Volume 1: Maestoso [SACD Hybrid]

[Machine Translation]

Chopin:
[Track Listing]
1. Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47
2. Mazurka in G minor, Op. 67-2 (posthumous)
3. Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68-4 (posthumous)
4. Waltz No. 12 in F minor, Op. 70, No. 2 (posthumous)
5. Waltz No. 18 in E-flat major, WN 53, "Sostenuto" (posthumous)
6. Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60
7. Nocturne No. 17 in B-flat major, Op. 62, No. 1
8. Nocturne No. 18 in E major, Op. 62, No. 2
9. Nocturne No. 21 in C minor, WN 62, Posthumous
10. Impromptu No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 51
11-14. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 (All 4 movements)

[Performer]
Junichi Ito (Piano)
DSD 11.2 MHz High-Resolution Recording
24-bit/384 kHz High-Resolution Post-Production
Planned, Produced, and Released by R. Infini

This is the first volume of "The Chopin Cycle," a long-term project spanning approximately eight years by pianist Junichi Ito-winner of first prize at the Japan Chopin Piano Competition, recipient of the Japan Chopin Society Award, and a prize winner at numerous other international competitions-to record the complete Chopin piano solo works. Over the past eight years, Ito has honed his skills in France at institutions such as the Paris Conservatoire, the Lyon Conservatoire, and the Ecole Normale de Musique, earning high acclaim for his deeply moving music-rooted in the mainstream European musical tradition-and his orthodox technique, free from any pretentiousness. The way the melodies breathe naturally, as if they were human voices; the rich, deep harmonies woven from a diverse palette of timbres; and the delicate quality of the sound that quietly reaches the depths of the listener's heart are the major charms that characterize Ito's performances. The philosophy of "playing as if singing"-which can be said to be the very foundation of Chopin's artistry-resonates deeply with Ito's artistic vision.

A Note on "The Chopin Cycle"
I am delighted to announce the launch of "The Chopin Cycle," a project to record the complete solo piano works of Chopin. The term "Zyklus" comes from German and means "a coherent series"; it is a musical term used to refer to a composer's series of works or complete works. For me, Chopin has been one of the composers closest to my heart since childhood. His music possesses a richness that can never be fully fathomed, and as I grow older and gain more experience, I am constantly reminded of its profound depth. In particular, my participation in the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition held in 2021 marked a major turning point for me. As I continued to intensively study and perform his works, I came to strongly resonate with the impression that Chopin's music-in every single note and in the harmonies created by their interplay-embodies every emotion humanity is capable of feeling. At times, his music even taught me emotions I hadn't yet discovered within myself. I am also deeply moved by Chopin's arrangement of notes, which allows the piano to sound simple yet beautiful. While modern pianos generally have 88 keys, even a single "C" note-whether a higher C or a lower C-requires a different approach to playing and resonating depending on the harmony in which it is played. (While this is common knowledge for string instruments, it is not often considered when it comes to the piano.) In other words, there are effectively more than 88 distinct sounds, and I believe that only those who can control them and blend them beautifully are true pianists. In reality, I've come to understand that it's not simply a matter of playing the notes written on the sheet music; by controlling the pitch-making it higher or lower-and playing at a pitch that resonates beautifully, not only the notes themselves but also their contours and resonance become even more varied, reaching the listener's ears and heart smoothly and pleasantly. It was Chopin's music that taught me the true essence of the piano as an instrument. For *The Chopin Cycle*, I decided to assign subtitles inspired by the core pieces. This album, titled "Maestoso" (majestic, dignified), features works primarily composed during Chopin's later years in Nohant. This period marked the peak of his creative maturity, and the album includes the *Ballade No. 3*, with its rich lyricism and beautiful depictions of scenery; *Barcarolle*, the *Nocturne, Op. 62* with its serene beauty, and the *Piano Sonata No. 3* with its grand form and powerful, majestic character-all works that can be considered the pinnacle of his artistry. On the other hand, the late mazurkas and waltzes left as his final works convey an intimacy and candor distinct from his larger-scale compositions. In them, we seem to catch a glimpse of Chopin not only as a composer who graced the salons but also as a human being. In this cycle, I hope to gradually explore the full scope of his creative output-from widely beloved masterpieces to works that are rarely performed-while making new discoveries along the way. Finally, this "The Chopin Cycle" came to fruition thanks to a proposal from Mr. Toshiki Muto, my CD producer and the representative of the Art Infini label. I had long wanted to unravel the creative journey and reflections revealed through Chopin's works, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to him for making this vision a reality. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the teachers who have guided and mentored me over the years, to my family for their constant support, and to everyone involved in the production of this album. For me, the exploration of the rich world Chopin left behind is a never-ending journey. As a performer, I will continue to deepen my learning while engaging with its inexhaustible charm and depth. I look forward to embarking on this journey, titled "The Chopin Cycle," together with all of you.
With my thoughts turned to Chopin, who spent every summer in Nohant... Junichi Ito, Early Summer 2026

(Naxos Japan)

4562264261055
MECO-1092

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