Suzuki Piano School New International Edition CD, Volume 7: Piano CD

Azuma's recording captures the sophistication that Volume 7 demands. His interpretation of Mozart's Alla turca brings the right balance of excitement and control, while his Bach demonstrates the contrapuntal clarity your students need to hear. Hearing these works performed with this level of artistry gives students a concrete model for what they're building toward.

The music journeys from the elegance of Classical Mozart through the architectural clarity of Bach, into the intimate yearning of Chopin, and across the rhythmic vitality of Baroque and folk traditions. Azuma's playing brings warmth and integrity to each work, creating a listening experience that feels both refined and accessible.

This recording is essential for students in Volume 7 of the Suzuki Piano School who benefit from consistent, high-quality listening models as they develop independence and interpretive sophistication. Piano teachers using the Suzuki method will find this invaluable for demonstrating musical phrasing, pedal technique, and the artistic approach these works deserve.

• Listen through the entire Mozart Sonata in one sitting to internalize its three-movement arc, then isolate the Alla turca section to study Azuma's articulation and pedaling choices in the rapid passages.
• Pay attention to how Azuma shapes the phrases in the Chopin Nocturne; the rubato and dynamic gradations show how to sing at the keyboard without losing structural integrity.
• Study the Bach Prelude and Fugue alongside the recording to observe how Azuma balances voice independence with overall musical flow, especially in passages where multiple lines overlap.
• Use the Bartók Romanian Folk Dances to hear authentic ornamentation and rhythmic flexibility; Azuma's approach demonstrates how to honor folk character while maintaining precision.

Assign listening passages aligned with your student's practice schedule for each piece in Volume 7. Regular exposure to Azuma's recording helps students develop aural expectations for their own playing and provides a touchstone when they're uncertain about interpretation.

• Recognizing stylistic differences across Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and twentieth-century repertoire
• Understanding appropriate pedal use and its effects on harmonic color and clarity
• Observing phrase shaping and musical line in works with varied textures and densities
• Hearing ornamentation and rhythmic flexibility within structured forms
• Building interpretive vocabulary through listening to professional performance