Baltic Inspiration Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet

• Arvydas Malcys (b. 1957):
• 1 Blackthorn Eyes (Version for Piano Quartet) 12:22
• 2 Hyacinth of the Snowfields (Version for Piano Quartet) 11:07
• 3 Milky Way (Version for Piano Quartet) 08:57
• Pēteris Vasks (b. 1946): Piano Quartet:
• 4 Piano Quartet: I. Preludio 03:13
• 5 Piano Quartet: II. Danze 05:17
• 6 Piano Quartet: III. Canti drammatici 06:53
• 7 Piano Quartet: IV. Quasi una passacaglia 07:24
• 8 Piano Quartet: V. Canto principale 09:00
• 9 Piano Quartet: VI. Postludio 02:28
• Total Runtime 01:06:41

Info for Baltic Inspiration

The 'Piano Quartet' by much-admired Latvian composer Peteris Vasks is one of his longest and most imposing chamber works. Unfolding with inexorable expressive force, it utilises dancelike motifs and folk-inflected themes throughout. The pieces by Lithuanian composer Arvydas Malcys form a cohesive sequence akin to a three-movement piano quartet in which specific sound effects, emotional power and colourful textures are in perfect alignment.

This new release marks the Naxos debut of the Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet, one of the best young ensembles in Russia. Founded in 2001, the Quartet has participated in multiple international masterclasses and festivals in Russia, Lithuania and Germany, and conducted music workshops in Austria and Italy. The quartet regularly participates in the Moscow State Philharmonic Society’s ‘Subscription’ series, and has instigated numerous chamber music concert series in Moscow. Alongside core piano quartet repertoire, the ensemble also works with other musicians.

Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet

The Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet
(Irina Grayfer (piano), Elena Ivanova (violin), Olga Kogan (viola), Sergey Ananich (violoncello)) is nowdays considered one of the young chamber ensembles of Moscow. Its members have the post-graduate education of Moscow Conservatory under the guide of Prof. Bonduriansky.

A first success for the quartet came in 2004 at the Maria Yudina International Competition in Saint-Petersburg(2nd Prize) , and then in 2006 the quartet won the 3rd Prize laureate of the 5th International Stays Vainiunas Piano and Chamber Ensemble Competition in Vilnius.

Their repertoire is really large and includes classical literature, written for a quartet. Some of the modern composers wrote works especially for the Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet. The musician had the first public performances of B. Martinu, J. Suk, L. Ferdinand, A. Malcys, F. Sofronow, and V. Panin in Russia.

The Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet playing from the 2001 and now they have a good technique, along with a deep musical culture. The Piano Quartet has performed extensively in Moscow, in other city of Russia and tours abroad, where has got everywhere a great success of the audience.

Booklet for Baltic Inspiration