The 24 Preludes and the Sonata in B minor are among the most significant works by Chopin. Despite his poor health, Chopin was able to...

The 24 Preludes and the Sonata in B minor are among the most significant works by Chopin. Despite his poor health, Chopin was able to complete the Preludes during his stay on the island of Mallorca. Chopin lost his father shortly before he began to work on the B minor Sonata and once again, he was very ill. It seems almost incomprehensible that Chopin was able to write rich, dramatic works of this magnitude during periods of intense suffering. Kotaro Fukuma’s concept for this recording was a juxtaposition of two life cycles: the first cycle consists of the Preludes paired with the Berceuse, which appear to symbolize the ascent to heaven; the Contredanse marks the beginning of a new section, of a second cycle, which comes to a triumphant conclusion with the Finale of the B minor Sonata. Born in Tokyo, Kotaro Fukama took his first piano lesson at the age of five. After winning both First Prize and the Chopin Prize at the International Piano Competition in Cleveland, Kotaro Fukuma embarked on an international concert career across the globe. He has performed at major concert venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, and many others. He currently resides in Berlin. “A fabulous artist… and a prince among peers.” (The Independent)