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On Etudes & Frames, pianist Tamara Stefanovich presents the music of contemporary master Vassos Nicolaou. In his Etudes, Nicolaou uses virtuosity as a means to explore forms made of complex rhythms, great speed and multi-layered sound. Each of the fifteen etudes has an evocative title, and focuses on specific geometrical-choreographical movements of the hands on the keyboard, as well as on a basic acoustical idea. For Stefanovich, this set has a structural integrity not seen since Ligeti’s Etudes. Nicolaou’s etudes are paired with Frames for two pianos, on which Stefanovich is joined by Pierre- Laurent Aimard. Stefanovich studied together with Nicolaou and has been an important advocate of his music ever since. Dedicating an entire album to his music is a dream come true. "In all these works, the pauses and silences (even when they are not there) are used as a means of expression which continuously unlocks the freedom and breath from within the work; it gives one the impression that all the richness of expressions are based on the pulsation of a rare element: it is always vital and active and always there, but somehow from a different planet. Vassos Nicolaou’s aural curiosity leads his listeners often something akin to delirium, albeit a superbly organised one." - Tamara Stefanovich