Having triumphed on the stage, Asmik Grigorian now brings her artistry to the recording studio with the release of her eagerly awaited first recording with pianist Lukas Geniušas, Dissonance , the first of many projects planned with Alpha Classics. Devoted to one of her favourite composers, Sergei Rachmaninov, Ms. Grigorian chose to present his intimate yet highly emotional romances written for voice and piano. “Most of Rachmaninov’s romances really demand operatic power. In fact, he wrote ‘mini-operas’ which last a few minutes.” Present throughout the album in many senses of the word, the theme of Dissonance refers to the romance Opus 34 , to the contrast present on this album in general, and to the “internal conflicts” that mark these songs. In collaboration with her compatriot, pianist Lukas Geniušas, the powerful artistry of these two musicians is on full display, and, in contrast with the album’s title, in complete harmony.