This album, which Denis Kozhukhin dedicates in memory of his parents, is very special and deeply personal to him. It brings together the innocence of Tchaikovsky's Children's Album, the playful yet technically demanding Music for Children by Prokofiev, and Alexey Shor's emotionally rich Piano Sonata No. 2. Tchaikovsky's pieces evoke childhood wonder and the fragility of life, while Prokofiev's "easy" works cleverly disguise technical challenges with mischievous charm. Shor's Sonata, filled with bold contrasts and introspective melodies, takes the listener on a journey of emotional discovery and resilience. Together, these works transcend their individual stories to offer a profound exploration of human experience - from the simplicity of childhood to the complexities of adulthood - all brought to life with Kozhukhin's masterful artistry. A prize-winner in prestigious competitions, including the Leeds International Piano Competition (2006) and the Queen Elizabeth Competition (2010), Denis Kozhukhin, has established himself as one of the greatest and most acclaimed pianists, with worldwide success. He now presents another chapter to his exclusive collaboration with PENTATONE, enriching the already extensive discography, after albums Grieg and Tchaikovsky's piano concertos (2016) which received a Gramophone Editor's Choice, Brahms' Ballades and Fantasies (2017) which was awarded 5 stars in Diapason, piano concertos by Ravel and Gershwin, Richard Strauss' Burleske (both 2018), Grieg: Lyric Pieces & Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte (2019) which was selected as Gramophone's Recording of the Month, as well as the Cesar Franck's Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra (2020).

Track List

1. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 1 Morning
2. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 2 Promenade
3. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 3 A little story
4. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 4 Tarantella
5. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 5 Regret
6. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 6 Waltz
7. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 7 Parade of grasshoppers
8. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 8 The rain and the rainbow
9. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 9 Playing tag
10. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 10 March
11. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 11 Evening
12. Music for Children Op. 65~No. 12 The moon strolls in the meadow
13. Piano Sonata No. 2~I. Moderato. Allegretto
14. Piano Sonata No. 2~II. Adagio con grazia
15. Piano Sonata No. 2~III. Molto Allegro con fuoco
16. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 1 Morning prayer
17. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 2 Winter morning
18. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 3 Playing hobby-horses
19. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 4 Mama
20. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 5 March of the wooden soldiers
21. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 6 The sick doll
22. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 7 The doll's funeral
23. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 8 Waltz
24. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 9 The new doll
25. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 10 Mazurka
26. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 11 Russian song
27. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 12 The accordion player
28. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 13 Kamarinskaya
29. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 14 Polka
30. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 15 Italian song
31. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 16 Old French song
32. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 17 German song
33. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 18 Neapolitan song
34. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 19 Nanny's story
35. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 20 The witch
36. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 21 Sweet dreams
37. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 22 Lark song
38. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 23 The organ-grinder sings
39. Children's Album Op. 39~No. 24 In church