Beethoven: Grosse Fuge – Nicolas Namoradze

Pianist Nicolas Namoradze’s much‑anticipated Ondine debut marks a significant milestone in his rapidly ascending career. Winner of the triennial Honens International Piano Competition in 2018, Namoradze has since been prominently profiled in major international media, including The New York Times, and has earned widespread acclaim for both his performances and recordings. A Musical America New Artist, BBC Music Magazine Rising Star, and Gramophone One to Watch, he was named Pianist of the Year by the UK Critics’ Circle in 2022.

Nicolas Namoradze’s new album dives into some of Beethoven’s most powerful and imaginative music. At its heart are two extraordinary fugues: the explosive finale of the Hammerklavier Sonata and Namoradze’s own solo-piano version of the Grosse Fuge. These pieces show Beethoven at his boldest, pushing old musical forms into new emotional territory—from chaos and struggle to moments of joy and transcendence. Hearing them side by side lets listeners experience how Beethoven’s ideas evolved and how Namoradze brings fresh clarity and excitement to this music.