Nikolai Kapustin

Born in 1937, Ukrainian pianist and composer Nikolai Kapustin is mostly known for his jazz-influenced piano compositions, but he also composed chamber music and concertos for other instruments. In 1953 as a teenager, Kapustin discovered jazz and incorporated it into his musical studies with the support of his music teacher. This early influence permeated Kapustin's compositional style, which combines the harmonic and melodic characteristics of jazz, with the formal concepts of the Baroque and Classical periods. Kapustin also has a rich legacy as a performer. He began playing...