Takashi Yamazaki “Bela Bartok Mikrokosmos”

Pianist Takashi Yamazaki, who is recognized as a leading performer of works by Bela Bartok, a Hungarian composer whose works reflect his research into the folk music of Eastern Europe and North Africa, performed the complete Mikrokosmos, a set of piano exercises consisting of 153 pieces in six volumes composed by Bartok between 1926 and 1939. Originally planned as an instructional work for beginners, it is considered to be a work of high difficulty that goes beyond the purpose of education and provides an insight into Bartok's musical world. Although the album is full of simple single pieces, it can be listened to as if it were ambient music with a sense of nostalgia, something similar to Erik Satie, perhaps a result of Takashi Yamazaki's expressive ability. Recommended.