FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2005

Contact: DoubleSharp@DoubleSharp.org

(425) 802-3503

Music/Arts Listings: July 16, 2005

Kill Date: August 5, 2005

 

ACCLAIMED RUSSIAN DUO

GALINA ZHUKOVSKAYA (SOPRANO) AND ALEXEI SKANAVI (PIANO)

MAKES ITS SEATTLE DEBUT JULY 28 - AUGUST 4, 2005

 

 

Salon of the Russian Song

MusaDesign Gallery,

2617 5th Ave, Seattle

July 28 at 7 pm

$28 / $18

 

“Golden Melodies of the Silver Age” for piano solo

Bellevue Christian Church,

10808 SE 28th St., Bellevue

July 29 at 7 pm

$15 / $12 / children free

FEATURED PERFORMANCE:

“Little Masterpieces for a Beautiful Couple” (Vocal Duo Repertoire of the Classical and Romantic Eras)

 

Sherman Clay Pianos, 1624 Fourth Avenue

 

August 4 at 7 pm

 

$18 / $12

 

 

Seattle, WADoubleSharp presents distinguished Russian soprano Galina Zhukovskaya and pianist Alexei Skanavi in their debut performances in Seattle. Their featured performance titled “Little Masterpieces for a Beautiful Couple” on Thursday, August 4, 2005, at 7pm, at Sherman Clay Pianos (1624 Fourth Avenue, Seattle). The artists will present Classical and Romantic era repertoire for vocal duo and piano solo, including works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninov.

Additional benefit concert will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 7pm, at MusaDesign Gallery (2617 Fifth Avenue, Seattle). The program will include famous romances and songs by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Varlamov and other Russian composers. All proceeds of this benefit concert will go to the artists.  Refreshments will be offered.

Alexei Skanavi’s solo piano recital “Golden Melodies of the Silver Age” will take place on Friday, July 29, at 7pm, at Bellevue Christian Church (10808 SE 28th St., Bellevue, venue for many Russian music, poetry and bard concerts). The program will include works by Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Godard, Ilyinsky, Oginski and Moszkowski.

Soprano Galina Zhukovskaya’s luminous voice has been called “a real treasure trove of concert stage” (The Philharmonic Journal).  Zhukovskaya’s repertoire spans three centuries, from the Renaissance era to contemporary works. Praised for the keen intelligence that informs her musical sensitivity, she has mesmerized audiences of many European countries with her artistry. Yet beyond the glory of her singing,  Zhukovskaya, who earned a Ph.D. in music history at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia, brings to her performances an impressive scholarly rigor; her fluency in the intricacies of performing styles and practices creates a powerful emotional bond between music, composer, and audience. Zhukovskaya has performed many world premieres of contemporary compositions. As a soloist of the Moscow State Philharmonic Society and of the Madrigal ancient music ensemble, Zhukovskaya has performed with the Russian Orchestra of Cinematography and has enjoyed chamber music collaborations with the Seattle Chamber Players, pianists Alexei Skanavi and Mikhail Dubov, violin player Tatyana Grindenko and many others. She has appeared at many acclaimed festivals of early and contemporary music, including Gidon Kremer’s Lockenhaus festival in 2003.

Pianist Alexei Skanavi is known not only for his poetic temperament and vivid artistic interpretation, but also for his deep devotion to music performance as both educational and entertaining. He is described as a pianist whose playing is “exceptionally elegant and intelligent.” Skanavi has established a unique identity by creating innovative programs that span 300 years of music. In addition to his demanding concert schedule, Skanavi is committed to music education, giving concerts, master-classes and demonstrations specifically geared toward children at schools and colleges throughout the country. Skanavi is currently a soloist in Mosconcert, Associate Professor and Head of the Chamber Music department at the State Classical Academy, Moscow, and Co-chairman of the Moscow Assemblies Elite Music Club.

DoubleSharp is a non-profit organization established to present artistic and educational events with excellence, creativity, and diversity in order to actively promote the appreciation of contemporary and world music and to challenge, educate, and enrich our audiences. DoubleSharp is dedicated to researching contemporary and world music and to enriching American and world audiences with musics of other cultures.  For more information, call (425) 802-3503 or visit www.DoubleSharp.org.  

Sherman Clay Pianos is America’s leading piano dealer whose goal is to bring value and culture to the American home by providing the finest in musical keyboard instruments. Its Seattle venue is located at 1624 Fourth Avenue, next to Westlake Center. For more information, call (206) 622-7580 or visit http://www.shermanclay.com/@seatl/seattlestore.htm.

MusaDesign is an interior architecture studio that provides original concept design, strategic space planning, and cutting edge style using modern materials and technology to residential and commercial clients world wide. The gallery is located at 2617  5th Ave, Seattle, south of Seattle Center beneath the Monorail. For more information, call (425) 246-8464 or visit www.MusaDesign.net

Tickets for the concert at Sherman Clay Pianos are $18 general admission and $12 for seniors and students. 

Tickets for the benefit at MusaDesign are $28 with reserved seating and $18 general admission.

Tickets for the piano recital at Bellevue Christian Church are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors and students; children are admitted free.

Tickets are available at the doors with cash or checks accepted. 

For ticket information contact DoubleSharp at (425) 802-3503. 

 

Program

Thursday, August 4, 2005, at 7pm

Sherman Clay Pianos, 1624 Fourth Avenue, Seattle

Little Masterpieces for a Beautiful Couple

*Galina Zhukovskaya, soprano

+Alexei Skanavi, piano

 

Mozart                                                An Chloe *+

Sei du mein Trost…*+

Dans un bois solitaire…*+

Beethoven                              Ecossaises +

(concert version by Reinecke)

Mozart                                                Ridente la calma nell’alma si desti*+

Sehnsucht nach dem Frühling *+

Die kleine Spinnerin *+

Rondo alla turca +

Mendelssohn                           Rondo capriccioso +

Liszt                                        Liebestraum No.3 +

Tchaikovsky                           It Was in the Early Spring... *+

I Opened the Window Wide *+

Pimpinella (after a Florentine Pop Song) *+

 

- intermission -

 

Schubert                                 Ave, Maria! *+

Das Fischermädchen *+

Gretchen am Spinnrade *+

Moment musical in F Minor +

Die Forelle *+

Nacht und Träume *+

Abschied *+

Chopin                                    Valse in C-sharp Minor +

Fantasie-Impromptu +

Rachmaninov                         Prelude in C-sharp Minor +

The Dream *+

Lilacs *+

Spring Waters *+

 

* Program subject to change

 

Program

Friday, July 29, 2005, at 7pm

Bellevue Christian Church, 10808 SE 28th St., Bellevue

Golden Melodies of the Silver Age

Alexei Skanavi, piano

 

Mozart                                    Alla turca from Sonate in A-dur, K 331

Beethoven                              Ecossaises

(concert version by Reinecke)

Schubert                                 Moment musical, Op. 94 No. 3 (in F Minor)

Mendelssohn                           Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14

Spinning Song from The Songs Without Words

Rachmaninoff                         Prelude, Op.3 No.2 in C-sharp Minor

Chopin                                                Fantasie-Impromptu, op. 66

Valse, Op. 64 No. 2 in C-sharp Minor

Polonaise, Op. 53 in A-flat Major

 

- intermission -

 

Liszt                                        Liebestraum No.3

Godard                                   Valse No. 1, op. 26

Valse No. 2, op. 56

Mazurka No. 2, op. 54

Ilyinsky                                   Polka, op. 19 # 4

Oginski                                   Polonaise in A Minor (“Les Adieux a la Patrie”)

Moszkowski                            Etincelles (op. 36 # 6)

Caprice espagnol, op. 37

 

*Program subject to change

 

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Media and Ticket Information Contact: DoubleSharp@DoubleSharp.org;  (425) 802-3503