Virtuosos from Russia at Friday, February 4, 2011, 7:30 pm at Unity Church of The Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78750
The concert presented by the Russian Speakers Society will feature the outstanding Russian-born and internationally recognized talents of Tamara Volskaya (domra – Russian mandolin), and Anatoliy Trofimov (bayan – Russian accordion). Known as the “Russian Duo,” they are hailed as one of the most electrifying musical duos to be found anywhere in the world today. Tamara Volskaya; “the astonishing domra player, a wizard of the strings…” (London, Classical Guitar Magazine, 2000) is considered to be one of the leading contemporary performers on the domra.
In the program artists will present arrangements of folk songs from Russia and Eastern Europe, transcriptions of popular tunes, classical and modern music. Each piece in their repertoire is professionally arranged by both artists to showcase their instruments and versatility. They have toured the United States, Japan, Europe, Russia, Canada and Australia they also gave a highly acclaimed concert performance in Carnegie Hall. “..the husband-and-wife team of Tamara Volskaya on domra and Anatoliy Trofimov on bayan, exhibited consummate artistry and amazing virtuosity in what they performed.“Eagle Tribune”, USA
Also performing during this same concert will be the Flying Balalaika Brothers, a colorful and lively local Austin band who performs on traditional folk instruments. Upon their arrival to the United States they strived to meld traditional Russian roots with a variety of international and contemporary American styles. The concert will appeal to lovers of music, and is for all ages.
This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and made possible by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. Also in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Ticket information: 512-335-4449
For more information, please see the website: http://www.unityhills.org
Admission: Adults – $20 / Seniors and students – $15 / Children age 12 to17 – $10
/ Children under 12 – FREE.
Tamara Volskaya and Anatoliy Trofimov
performed a recital concert on December 2004 at Victor Borges Hall for the American-Scandinavian Foundation. A most notable achievement so far has been a performance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in February 2005. In 1999 and 2004 they were featured on NPR’s nationally syndicated program “All Things Considered” and on WMAR-ABC TV. Beginning in 2000, the “Russian Duo” has appeared as the featured artists at international festivals in Japan, Israel, Canada, Spain and USA. In March and April of 2004 they toured Russia, where they performed in seven main Ural and Siberian cities. In the summer of that same year the “Russian Duo” was invited to be a part of the D. Shostakovich Music Festival at Bard College (USA). They performed for the production of two famous Shostakovich operas, “The Nose” and “Moscow: Cherry Tree Towers”. They have also performed during the 2010 Metropolitan Opera’s production of “The Nose.” During 2006 and 2007 the “Russian Duo” toured Israel, Canada and Spain. In March, 2008 they returned to their native land during a concert tour in Russia and the Ukraine where they played at the famous Kiev Concert Hall and the Concert Hall of the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow. September, 2008 was marked with a concert tour in Japan and Russia. In 2009-2010 the performers toured again in Russia as well as in Canada. Tamara and Anatoliy established the “Russian Carnival Ensemble” in New York, which has gained great popularity, not only in the Russian community, but among lovers of all genres of music. The ensemble performs regularly in the New York area, including several concerts at the prestigious Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, and at the Lincoln Center as a part of “Russian Splendor.” Tamara and Anatoliy have released several outstanding recordings as a duo as well as two with The Russian Carnival Ensemble.
About the instruments
The domra, a member of the lute family, is a four stringed plucked instrument resembling the Italian mandolin. It is played with a pick and is tuned similar to a violin. The bayan, which resembles the accordion, has buttons on both sides of the keyboard.
The Flying Balalaika Brothers, a local Austin band, have been together for almost 6 years and feature Zhenya Rock, Sergey Vashchenko, Rob Jewett, Chris DeVore, and Wayne Duncan. Their music has been labeled Russian folk roots with an International and American twist. They have performed for schools and local festivals including the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Pecan Street Festival.
Formally of the Red Elvises, Zhenya Rock’s music has been featured in numerous Hollywood Movies and television series, and with his other group, ZeeGrass, Mr. Rock performs in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. He is the groups’ composer and lead singer. His talent as a composer and improviser is combined with Mr. Vashchenko’s extensive skills as a balalaika musician extraordinaire, conductor, and arranger. He has been featured in reviews and interviews on local, national and international newspapers, radio, TV and by famous entertainers such as Van Cliburn, Vladimir Viardo, James Dick, Jay Leno, Bill Tillman, Eric Johnson, Smoky Montgomery, and Arthur Brown. His music is also featured in the introduction of the public broadcasting television program for teaching Russian Language to the public.
Rob Jewett will amaze you with his talents on the contrabass balalaika and upright bass. He has been working as an Austin musician for the past 20 years. Rob has toured with the legendary drummer Buddy Miles (Jami Hendrix, Electric Flag, and Santana), performed live on national television on the Grand Ole Opry with Dale Watson, and has toured the US and Europe with Alligator Records recording artist and Texas Bluesman Long John Hunter. Early in his Austin career, Rob played bass for The Asylum Street Spankers and Wayne (the train) Hancock. He has also shared the stage with Bluesman Buddy Guy and Conjunto musician Flaco Jimenez.
Chris DeVore started playing guitar at 15 years of age. Besides being a professional studio guitarist, he has played in other bands including Many More, Jon Brantley Band, Pitchfork, Stealing Silence, International Duo, and The Sam’s Town Jam Band. He has provided drumming for Devin Johnson and Phoenix Jackson. As a rising star in the world of music, Chris will amaze you with his talents on acoustic guitar.
Wayne Duncan has been playing drums for 37 years. He has recorded 35 albums and proficiently plays the drums, doumbeck, table, guitar, and boudhran in a diverse range of styles which include jazz, rock, country, funk, swing, folk, and world music.
Together, The Flying Balalaika Brothers’music will make you want to get out of your seats and dance!
