Scarlatti Sonatas / Sergei Babatan Piano

Sergei Babayan, a pianist of extraordinary talent, was born in Guimri, Armenia, and began his musical studies at age six. His numerous teachers have included the legendary Lev Naumov, and at the Moscow Conservatory, Michel Pletnev.

Mr. Babayan first traveled to the United States in 1989, and that same year he won First Prize in The Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition. His entrance and subsequent victory marked the first time a Russian artist had participated without official government sponsorship.

In a span of two years, he won First Prize in The Palm Beach International Piano Competition, First Prize in the 1991 International Hamamatsu Competition, was a Laureate of the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition, won First Prize (and all three special performance awards,) in the Scottish International Piano Competition, third prize at the Busoni International Piano Competition, and was a prize winner at the inaugural Esther Honens International Piano Competition.

Already a familiar face on the international stage, Mr. Babayan regularly concertizes in the world musical capitals, and frequently appears as soloist with such stellar ensembles as The Cleveland Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Belgium, The Italian Symphony Orchestra, and The Czech State Philharmonic to name but a few.

Having earlier recorded a compact disc for Connoisseur Society, Sergei Babayan now finds artistic shelter on the roster of Pro Piano Records, for whom he has also recorded a marvelous CD (PPR224517) featuring works by Vine, Messiaen, Respigi and Ligetti.