Kleurstof Ischico

• 1 Ischico: King's Seat 04:46
• 2 Babadjanian: Prelude 01:53
• 3 Babadjanian: Vagharshapat Dance 01:59
• 4 Babadjanian: Exprompt 03:06
• 5 Babadjanian: Capriccio 05:14
• 6 Ischico: Mariana 01:08
• 7 Levina: Sonata No.1 06:31
• 8 Ischico: Native Speaker 04:21
• 9 Chebotarian: Preludes: III. Adagio con duolo 02:40
• 10 Chebotarian: Preludes: IV. Allegro Grazioso 01:49
• 11 Chebotarian: Preludes: V. Andante Pastorale 04:07
• 12 Ischico: Bye (improv) 02:50
• Total Runtime 40:24

Info for Kleurstof

Dutch for colorant—is the debut album of Dutch-Indian pianist Ischico, who invites listeners to unlock a treasure chest of hidden classical gems alongside her own musical stories. For Ischico, music is a way to bring color to life, with each piece on the album offering its own unique shade.

The album features rarely-heard works by female composers Zara Levina and Gayane Chebotarian, as well as adventurous pieces by Arno Babajanian, who seamlessly blends his Armenian roots, love of jazz, and classical music.

As a musical explorer, Ischico builds on her classical foundations while weaving in influences from other genres, creating a distinctive musical language of her own. Her works are shaped by the places she has called home and by simple yet meaningful events—like the ascent of King’s Seat in Scotland, the exploration of her Dutch-Indian identity in Native Speaker, or giving voice to her thoughts in the deep waters of the Mariana Trench.

Just as dye disperses through water, transforming it, Ischico hopes this music will bring new colors and textures to your world.

Ischico, piano

Ischico
Dutch-Indian pianist Ischico is a musical explorer who creates direct connections with her audiences through every performance. Her adventurous spirit leads her to discover hidden treasures in the piano repertoire, while her original pieces and improvisations weave together classical traditions with folk music and jazz influences. Critics praise her playing as 'efortlessly expressive' and 'technically extremely fluent.'

Drawing inspiration from diverse artists like Tigran Hamasyan, Zara Levina, Nitai Hershkovits, Ethan Gruska, and Spinvis, Ischico moves fluidly between musical worlds. A natural collaborator, she brings classical music into dialogue with other art forms, working with visual artists, dancers, and theater makers. Her curiosity for undiscovered musical gems earned her first prize in the Lamond Prize with Medtner's Sonata-Skazka.

She has performed on prestigious international stages, including Amsterdam's Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, and her performances have been featured on (inter)national radio stations, including NPO Klassiek and SBS Australia. Ischico regularly performs abroad, with performances in Dublin, London, Glasgow, and Barcelona, and has been part of several festivals, such as the Grachtenfestival and the Glasgow Piano Festival.

Ischico was classically trained in piano performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Barcelona's Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu and has participated in masterclasses by Dmitri Alexeev, Jacques Rouvier, and Hortense Cartier-Bresson. She has also received financial support from VSBFonds, Amarte Fonds, AFK, Heij Konijn Fonds, and Ars Donandi.

In addition to her love of making music, Ischico enjoys cooking, hiking with her friends during summer, and listening to all sorts of music while doing so. The simplicity of daily life and connection to the people around her inspires her music making in return.

This album contains no booklet.