Drawing on the Chopin model of alternating major and minor keys, as well as on Russian folk melodies, Kabalevsky’s 24 Preludes (1943-4) find the composer’s writing at its most distinctive.

They are coupled with the early 4 Preludes (1927), in which the influence of Prokofiev is seldom far away, and the Preludes and Fugues (1958-9), six widely contrasting and expressive preludes yoked to their traditional fugal partners.

This is the second recording of Kabalevsky’s piano music by Alexandre Dossin, First Prize and Special Prize winner at the 2003 Martha Argerich International Piano Competition. The three Piano Sonatas can be heard on Naxos 8.570822.

“Alexandre Dossin is an accomplished musician and a wonderful pianist. I had the opportunity to hear him play solo, chamber music and concertos. His performances are magnificent, with very pure musical insight and an extreme sensitivity, together with real virtuosity and a very personal way of unfolding interesting ideas. The feeling that there is always more coming makes his performances a very strong experience.” Martha Argerich