In his early days the composer-pianist Igor Raykhelson - born in Leningrad in 1961, once a New York resident and now based in Moscow - studied both classical and jazz piano. Those influences have combined to create a uniquely personal, Rachmaninoff-plays-the-blues Neo-Romantic style: not only is Raykhelson unafraid to write a good tune - it's clear right away whose tune it is. And in his chamber and instrumental works, the intimate, 'parlando' manner that Raykhelson absorbed from jazz becomes particularly effective. This release features some of the leading Russian musicians of the current day: Ekaterina Astashova (the composer's wife) is joined by the cellist Alexander Kniazev, the pianist Konstantin Lifschitz and the Borodin Quartet.

Tracklist:

Piano Trio No. 1 in E Major - Ekaterina Astashova/Alexander Kniazev/Konstantin Lifschitz
Sonnet - Ekaterina Astashova/Konstantin Lifschitz
I. Moderato - Konstantin Lifschitz
II. Vivace - Allegretto Dolce - Konstantin Lifschitz
III. Largo - Konstantin Lifschitz
IV. Allegro Risoluto - Konstantin Lifschitz
I. Grave - Piu Mosso - Ekaterina Astashova/Konstantin Lifschitz
II. Adagio Affettuoso - Ekaterina Astashova/Konstantin Lifschitz
III. Allegro Moderato - Ekaterina Astashova/Konstantin Lifschitz 1
I. Moderato - Borodin Quartet 1
II. Adagio Meditabondo - Borodin Quartet 1
III. Grandioso - Allegro - Borodin Quartet

UPC: 5060113443151
Label: Toccata
Release Date: 5.4.18
Format: CD

Raykhelson / Astashova - Piano & Chamber Music 1 (CD)