Album review: Pianimaginary by Nicolas Mazmanian

Nicolas Mazmanian, pianist and composer, will release his first studio album, Pianimaginary, on October 2nd.

Composed of eleven tracks, Pianimaginary transports the listener into the vast musical universe of the piano. Throughout the album, Nicolas Mazmanian explores the instrument’s endless technical possibilities, colliding two musical worlds.

A tribute to Armenian culture through music

With this first studio album, the musician effortlessly blends influences from classical music with traditional Armenian music. This fusion can be particularly felt in several pieces, beginning with Diasporama.

Diasporama takes its meaning in the word “diaspora”, representing the migration of the Armenian people. Here, Nicolas Mazmanian creates a poignant soundscape of this journey: from hopeful, crystalline harmonics to the whisper of fear, the listener is invited to share an intimate moment with the pianist. A powerful beginning that illustrates the resilience of the Armenian people.

Throughout the album, traditional motifs and harmonies can be found, seamlessly blended with a more classical approach to the piano.

This is particularly evident in Tigran’s Asymmetries, where Mazmanian demonstrates his mastery of composition through intricate phrasings and rhythms. Inspired by the jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan, the name “Tigran” comes from the traditional Armenian name, meaning “warrior”. The listener can feel this strength and bravery throughout the piece, especially with its almost hypnotic loop, evoking powerful footsteps.

Élégie, Romance and Romance II lean more toward the classical side, revealing a new side of Nicolas Mazmanian’s musicality. With each theme introduced, a new storytelling unfolds, guiding the listener through bittersweet and almost fairytale-like sensations.

Nicolas Mazmanian’s love for his cultural heritage continues to shine through in pieces such as Saphir, Le Monde Dans Ses Yeux and Hyusi Chanaparth. Each of these works symbolizes something specific within the Armenian culture. The saphirre, for example, represents God’s protection, amongst other things., Hyusi Chanaparth means “the path to Hope”. As for Le Monde Dans Ses Yeux (“The World In His Eyes”), the title could evoke the idea of looking at life through God’s eyes or through once’s child.

All in all, Pianimaginary is a moving tribute to Nicolas Mazmanian’s heritage, while also showcasing his incredible mastery of the piano and ability to merge two musical identities.