Finnish pianist-moogist-composer Kari Ikonen (b.1973) presents his new Kandinsky-inspired solo piano repertoire ”Impressions, Improvisations and Compositions”, released worldwide in 2021 on CD & LP by German label Ozella Music. 

As its name suggests, the album consists of Ikonen’s compositions and improvised passages:

”Wassily Kandinsky, one of my favorite painters, divided his paintings in three categories: impressions, improvisations and compositions. ”Improvisations” were spontaneous expressions of an internal mood or feeling, directly from the artist’s soul. ”Impressions” were improvisations as well, but with external influences, such as music or nature. 

”Compositions” were also expressions of inner visions, but more consciously designed… What a perfect analogy with my music! Some of the pieces in my solo repertoire are impressions, inspired by a scale/maqam, a painting or a story. Some pieces are ”pure” improvisations and some are written compositions.”

An array of unusual preparations and special techniques are used, most notably the revolutionary Maqiano™, Ikonen’s own invention, a totally unique install-and-remove device that allows him to play the Maqamat (≈Arabic modes) and other micro-intervals on grand piano. 

For the last 20 years Ikonen has been into Arabic, Middle Eastern and Turkish music, and now he’s able to extend his melodic vocabulary beyond the conventional tunings.
 

If you have any access requirements, please contact [email protected] so we can help accommodate your needs at the event.

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