My mixtape: Mariam Batsashvili’s 10 perfect piano pieces

That’s but a small sample of the words you’d encounter were you to seek out reviews of Mariam Batsashvili’s recent concert performances.

Batsashvili has been making waves in the classical music world since 2014, when she won the International Franz Liszt Competition in Utrecht at the age of 21. That success led to the Georgian pianist being included as both a European Concert Hall Organisation ‘Rising Star’ and a BBC ‘New Generation Artist’, and from that springboard she has gone on to establish a career as an in-demand pianist, performing with orchestras including the Brussels Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic.

With a passion for the significant composers of the late Baroque, Viennese Classicism, and Romanticism periods, she continues to be recognised as one of the foremost specialists in Liszt. And it is to perform works by the Hungarian composer, alongside pieces by Bach and Sigismond Thalberg, that Batsashvili joins us in our Royal Festival Hall in September.

It’s perhaps of no surprise then that Liszt also features in this personal playlist the pianist kindly put together for us ahead of that concert, consisting of what she considers to be ten perfect piano pieces. Give them a listen while reading Batasashvili’s reasoning for the inclusion of each, below.

‘Variations brillantes, Op. 14’ – Czerny

For me, Czerny’s music is a hidden gem. Most people know him only for his études, which are themselves greatly underestimated. They beautifully combine musical expression with technical development, yet sadly pianists often remain focused on the technical level and overlook their deeper musical qualities. These Variations are such a good example of his musical brilliance.

‘Concerto in D Minor, BWV 974 II’ – Marcello/Bach

This piece feels like a musical form of meditation to me. Not as a means of relaxation or comfort, but as something much deeper than a path to peace. It is self reflecting, painful, pleading, almost imploring, yet at the same time accepting, never desperate. It is precisely this balance that makes it so elegantly refined.

‘Kupelwieser Waltz’ – Schubert

This is such a rarity! It has Schubert’s characteristic blend of happiness and sadness together with extraordinarily beautiful melody. I am totally in love with this one.

‘Valse de l’opéra Faust, S. 407 (after Gounod)’ – Liszt

This is a celebration of Liszt’s dedication to opera transcriptions and, more generally, to program music. I’m not entirely sure whether I’m allowed to say this — but I may actually like the transcription more than the original.

‘5 Lieder, Op. 49: No. 4, Wiegenlied (arr. Batsashvili)’ – Brahms

This is such calming, gentle, and deeply peaceful music. I could listen to it for hours.

‘Etude Op. 25 No 12’ – Chopin

This agitates me, throwing me into dark clouds and stormy waves of emotion. I absolutely love its dramatic character.

‘Neapolitan Song’ – Tchaikovsky

If I just want to smile then I am listening to this piece; the simplicity of the melody is just so attractive!

‘Petite Caprice’ – Rossini

Sharp, humorous, slightly wicked, cheerful, and wonderfully entertaining.

‘Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel (arr. Batsashvili)’ – Karel Sbovoda

When I listen to this, the music feels so warm and gentle, but at the same time it evokes the coldness of snow so vividly that I somehow feel warm and cold at once. I guess only music can do something like that to the human body.

‘Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331’ – Mozart

Perfect Mozart. His characteristic combination of being so effortless to listen to yet so incredibly difficult to play is simply delicious – light, crisp, and irresistible.