Dissonance Released on Alpha Classics

“Dominating every stage she steps onto” (Inews), Asmik Grigorian’s  performances at prestigious opera houses including the Royal Opera  House, Salzburg Festival, and Wiener Staatsoper have been met with  standing ovations and rave reviews. 

Having triumphed on the stage, she now brings her artistry to the  recording studio with the release of her eagerly awaited first recording  with pianist Lukas Geniušas. The first of many projects planned with  Alpha Classics, Dissonance, will be released this spring. 

Devoted to one of her favourite composers, Sergei Rachmaninov, Ms.  Grigorian chose to present his intimate yet highly emotional romances  written for voice and piano. “Most of Rachmaninov’s romances really  demand operatic power. In fact, he wrote ‘mini-operas’ which last a few  minutes.” Present throughout the album in many senses of the word,  the theme of Dissonance refers to the romance Opus 34, to the contrast  present on this album in general, and to the “internal conflicts” that  mark these songs. In collaboration with her compatriot, pianist Lukas  Geniušas, the powerful artistry of these two musicians is on full display,  and, in contrast with the album’s title, in complete harmony. 

In 2021, she recorded for Alpha Classics Shostakovich’s Symphony  No.14 with Matthias Goerne and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio  France, conducted by Mikko Franck and will record with them the Four  Last Songs by Strauss in June 2022. 

On the day of its release, March 25th, Asmik released this personal statement:

“Dissonance - a lack of harmony.

Paradoxically, it is today that my first album sees the light of day. It is also paradoxical that when I recorded this album, it would have been difficult for me to answer the question why Lukas and I chose to feature Sergei Rachmaninoff and give the album this title. But today, I know that this title and theme most accurately conveys the painful gnashing in my heart.

The dissonance between beauty, fortitude, courage, light, and hopelessness, fear, shame and absolute darkness...

The dissonance of my love for Russian culture, music, literature, friends, family, relatives and this incomprehensible, shameful, senseless and criminal catastrophe that affects us all.

The dissonance of the urge to simultaneously scream with the voice of a wild animal and be silent like a grave.

Between gratitude and apology
Today, when our words get stuck in my throat, I turn to music…

to faith.

to hope.

to prayer.

That we still have a chance…to be in harmony.”