Igor Butman Prohecy

For this new album, pianist Igor Gehenot continues the adventure of his international quartet and adds the blowing of French saxophonist David El-Malek (Baptiste Trotignon). Between post-bop and contemporary music, “Cursiv” takes us deep into the heart of a sulphurous New York and on to the bare plains and fjords of Norway.

The last three symphonies remain for many listeners the ultimate expression of musical romanticism. Their gorgeous tunes, luscious orchestration, and huge emotional range tempt many interpreters to extremes of musical excess– but not Igor Markevitch. These brilliantly played, exceptionally precise performances let the hysteria speak for itself, while focusing on the music's architectural strength. The results are uncommonly exciting, supple, and above all sensitive to the music's many beauties. Having withstood the test of time, and at two discs for the price of one, this might very well be a first choice for newcomers and collectors alike. Excellent recorded sound too.

Igor Ruhadze's Brilliant Classics recording of sonatas by Locatelli (94736) won warm praise from Gramophone. 'The playing is elegantly supple, the string tone warm, and the architecture of individual movements thoughtfully worked out. All this makes for a pleasant mood and enjoyable listening. The more exuberant pieces are brilliantly and at times breathtakingly performed.'

The new album “On DSCH” by Igor Levit is a 3CD discographic tour de force by “one of the essential artists of our time” (The New York Times). That the self-styled “maximalist” enjoys pushing himself to his limits – intellectually and physically – is well known, but the present project – two key cycles of musical modernism - puts all others in the shade.

Pianist Igor Bril's tour of the United States in 1988 with his quartet helped show Americans that, in addition to avant-garde music and some dixieland, bebop was alive in the Soviet Union. Bril had led a trio as early as the mid-1960's and, although jazz was officially discouraged at home, he has managed to play jazz throughout much of his life. He worked with bands led by Yuri Saulsky (1966-69), Aleksey Kozlov and German Luk'yanow before putting together his own septet (1972-81) and a quintet that toured throughout the USSR, Communist Europe and Cuba. He has also been a jazz educator in his homeland since 1969.