New album from Ashot Danielyan

Based in Moscow, pianist, composer and improviser Ashot Danielyan has spent more than a decade developing a musical output that finds its appeal in subtlety, atmosphere and emotional expression. Moving between classical composition, ambient minimalism, new age textures and experimental soundscapes, his work forms a space where music becomes about the opportunities contained within a single moment. Across an expanding catalogue of singles, EPs and full-length releases, Ashot has continued to explore the piano as both an instrument of performance and a means of communicating thoughts and feelings.

At the centre of his vision is a strong connection with improvisation, an artistic philosophy built around spontaneity and discovery. Each performance becomes a chance to follow an idea, allowing intuitive feeling to guide the music as it takes shape, giving his work a sense of movement that can feel almost meditative, with individual notes and developing phrases carrying the emotional tone of much larger arrangements. His focus is on honesty through sound, recognising that a carefully placed note can communicate as much as an entire orchestra when the moment and feeling are right.

His recording journey began in 2012 with the release of “Shadows,” a debut composition which introduced the direction of his musical identity. The track also brought early recognition, earning him a semi-finalist position in the International Songwriting Competition; an encouraging start for an artist whose work would continue to develop outside the usual sphere of instrumental music, with subsequent releases attracting further acknowledgement from the UK Songwriting Contest. These accolades reflected a consistency in his creative output, as Ashot continued to craft a sound that emphasised emotional connection.

Another important moment arrived in 2016 with the release of Mountain Prayer, an EP which brought together meditative, nature-inspired piano compositions and went on to win the Instrumental category at the 14th Annual Independent Music Awards. The recognition marked a step in bringing his work to a wider international audience, while also highlighting the unique qualities that had been present since his earliest recordings.

Since then, Ashot has continued to investigate the possibilities of spontaneous performance, with his more recent album, Spontaneous Piano Journeys, capturing ten solo improvisations, each performed in real time. The concept placed the process of creation directly at the centre of the finished recording, allowing listeners to experience the music as it took shape. Now, his latest release, Make Classical Music Great Again, continues along this path, presenting seven spontaneous solo piano improvisations performed this year.

The release builds on the ideas explored throughout his previous work, returning to the piano as the central voice while giving each performance the freedom to develop organically. “Beginning Of This April” starts off the record with soft piano notes, with warm bass tones providing a steady backdrop as elegant runs of lead notes flutter above, forming a delicate piece that captures both the bliss of intricate melodies and the fluidity of his improvised performance. “Cold Flowers” follows with airy lead notes, setting into a gentle rhythmic sway as the piece develops with the full register of the piano while maintaining a laid back energy throughout.

“Middle Of This April” glides with a graceful blend of sustained notes and alluring lead flickers, offering a stunning display of Ashot’s ability to capture a beautiful piece of instrumental music in the moment. “Warm May Night” pairs a loose rhythmic flow with lead notes which dance atop the minimal musical fabric to deliver a delightful listening experience. With “Middle Of This July,” the hushed blend of melancholic chords and bright notes glides through a piece full of alluring ebb and flow, building with subtle energy only to simmer back down with Ashot’s incredible command of musical dynamics.

Dedicated to Frédéric Chopin, “9 Days Until August” pays tribute to one of Ashot’s inspiration with an emotive performance of soothing solo piano. Closing the release with “All The Worlds Are Funny,” the dreamy tone of warm notes casts a slowly gliding, upbeat finale, offering a truly magnificent conclusion to the record. Across more than a decade of releases, Ashot Danielyan has maintained a clear mission to examine the emotional possibilities of instrumental music and with the real-time performances of his latest albums, his work has returned to the relationship between sound, feeling and spontaneity. Make Classical Music Great Again offers another chapter in that ongoing exploration, capturing an artist still seeking to follow the piano wherever the moment takes him.

Listen to Make Classical Music Great Again below