Souvenirs de Chopin

This is a Kotaro Fukuma's new album "Souvenirs de Chopin", to be released on September 13, 2024. This is a special product celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kotaro Fukuma's debut in Japan, and not only that, this is also his 20th album. Since winning the First Prize and the Chopin Prize at the 15th Cleveland International Piano Competition in 2003, he has continued to work as an international pianist, performing in a total of 37 countries, based in Japan and Europe. This album is the culmination of Fukuma's 20-year career and includes many tracks that are "Souvenirs" of his own life.

*This album is available in two versions:
- NYCC-27315DG/4589538791612: Available on all DSPs except Apple, Tr. 12-14 are digital bonus tracks
- NYCC-27315AP/4589538791629: Available exclusively on Apple, Tr. 12-13 are Apple Exclusive Tracks, Tr. 14-16 are digital bonus tracks

*Digital Pre-Release Single:
- NYCC-27315PR/4589538791605: "Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Op. Posth.", August 16, 2024 Releasec

- Message by Kotaro Fukuma -
It is with great joy that I release my Chopin album – my 20th album – to coincide with the 20th anniversary of my debut in Japan. I would like to thank everyone involved in the production of this album.
Since my childhood, Chopin has always been my most favourite composer. Previously I have recorded his Ballade No. 4, Barcarolle, Sonata No. 3, Nocturne Op. 48-1, Etude Op. 10-3, and his 24 Preludes, which are some of my favourite works. This time, however, I wanted to make a new Chopin album with a concept, and I pondered how to construct the program. The essential works I selected were Ballade No. 1, Polonaise in A flat major “Heroic”, Piano Sonata No. 2, and Polonaise-Fantaisie.
When Chopin, who left his home country shortly before the outbreak of the Polish-Russian War in November 1830, heard the news about the Warsaw Uprising, he wanted to take part in the battle, but he couldn’t return. In exile, he was full of nostalgia and anger. For me, these four pieces seem to represent a story about a hero who fights a lone battle to defend his country and his beloved but is killed in action. This, I decided, should be the concept of this album.
We know that Chopin was reluctant about “programme music” and he wanted people to enjoy music purely through sound. Though it may be arrogant of me to add a new story to his music, I do not intend to restrict the listeners’imaginations and would be happy if everyone would enjoy listening and imagining his/her own story.