Djansug Kakhidze, Conductor Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra
Nodar Gabunia, Piano
Cat.No: CGC 036-2
Format: 2 CDs, jewel box in slip case
Total time: 123:15
CD 1
Johannes Brahms:
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
(1) I. Un poco sostenuto – Allegro – Meno allegro 13:59
(2) II. Andante sostenuto 09:24
(3) III. Un poco Allegretto e grazioso 04:59
(4) IV. Adagio – Più Andante – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Più Allegro 17:46
(5) Tragic Overture in D minor, Op 81 11:47
CD 2
Edvard Grieg:
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
(1.) I. Morning Mood 04:23
(2) II. The Death of Ase 05:30
(3) III. Anitra’s Dance 04:08
(4) IV. In the Hall of the Mountain King 02:45
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2
(5) I. The Abduction of the Bride, Ingrid’s Lament 04:06
(6) II. Arabian Dance 05:07
(7) III. Peer Gynt’s Homecoming, Stormy Evening on the Sea 02:36
(8) IV. Solveig’s Song 13:30
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
(9) I. Allegro molto moderato 13:30
(10) II. Adagio 06:13
(11) III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato 10:48
Nodar Gabunia (1933-2000) dominated the Georgian music scene in the latter decades of the 20th century. While still in his twenties, he caught the ear of Dmitri Shostakovich, who described him as one of the most talented composers of his generation. After graduating with honours from the Moscow State Conservatory, where he studied piano under Aleksandr Goldenweiser and composition under Aram Khachaturian, he returned to Georgia to lead the piano department at the Tbilisi State Conservatory. In the course of his illustrious career, Gabunia gained equal recognition as a pianist, composer and teacher. In 1983, he became vice-chancellor of the conservatory, a position he held for the rest of his life. Internationally, he joined the Royal Conservatory in The Hague as a visiting lecturer. Soon after his death, his students honoured his memory by founding a national piano competition in his name.