‘I played the Khachaturian Toccata when I was 12,’ he says, ‘and became obsessed with it as a great party piece. This triggered interest in the rest of his music. Coming from Jordan where the classical music scene is not yet developed or established as it is in the West, the Armenian flavour of Khachaturian instantly struck a deep emotional chord. It seemed so close to my own roots – to my people’s folk music. There is an oriental, improvisatory element that I love in Khachaturian and the rhythms and harmonies are especially attractive. You only need to think about the long pedal points and modal scales that permeate so many of his works to hear this. I should also mention the singing quality of Khachaturian as something I especially love.’

Iyad Sughayer, International Piano Magazine – March/April 2019 issue.

Read the full article.

In December 2018, Iyad recorded his debut disc featuring solo works of Aram Khachaturian on the Swedish label BIS. The album was recorded in the Stoller Hall at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, Iyad’s former school. 

The disc features the Sonata, Toccata, Sonatine, Children’s Album, Two Pieces and Poem. It is due for release in early 2020.