Alexander Arutiunian: Evening on Ararat Valey
Alexander Scriabin: Nocturne for the left hand
Claude Debussy: Claire de Lune
Claude Debussy: Nocturne
Enrique Granados: Quejas, o la Maja y el Ruiseñor
Gabriel Fauré: Claire de Lune
Mikhail Glinka: Nocturne
Ottorino Respighi: Notturno
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Nocturne
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Rêverie du Soir
Reinhold Glière: Le Matin, Op. 43 No. 4
Richard Strauss: Rêverie
Rudolf Friml: Moonlight on the Lagoon
Samuel Barber: Nocturne Op. 33
Scott Solak: Slant of Light
Selim Palmgren: Evening Whispers
Selim Palmgren: May Night

There are many synonyms for the word Umbra, the main ones being twilight, shadows and darkness. I believe it also conjures up words like nebulous, mysterious, cryptic and enigmatic. Armenian pianist Marina Chamasyan well captures the obscure colors and expressive characteristics within this varied program. Her contemplative and deliberate approach to each one's emotive imagery shines a light (pun intended) on their darkest corners. The usual suspects are here like Debussy's 'Claire de Lune' and Tchaikovsky's 'Nocturne' of course, but oddly enough not even a single 'Nocturne' by Chopin. A wise decision since we get to hear some neglected gems of the piano repertoire.

Music by Soviet-Armenian composer Alexander Arutiunian (1920-2012), Finnish composer Selim Palmgren (1878-1951), American composer Scott Solak and Czech composer Rudolf Friml (1879-1972) better known for his popular broadway musicals. All pieces by composers who deserve more of our attention. Regardless of their origin, Marina Chamasyan digs deep within the score to evince every drop of nuanced expressivity from each one. For example, she captures exceptionally well Alexander Scriabin's tormented harmonic colors, textures and melancholy within his 'Nocturne for the left hand'. A work you should hear if you've never listened to the music of Scriabin. This piece alone, as well as Chamasyan's exquisite playing, set the tone for the rest of the program.