Northern Flowers presents two of the cello repertoire's most beloved masterworks receive authoritative, deeply felt performances from one of Russia's most distinguished cellists in this new studio recording from Moscow's "Palace on the Yauza." The album leads with Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, written to represent the atmosphere and styles of what Tchaikovsky believed to be the less complicated age of the 18th century. The work pays homage to Mozartian classical styles throughout the series of charming variations. Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor was composed during his last year in New York City during his famous American trip, though, he wrote in the manuscript, "I finished the Concerto in New York, but when I returned home to Bohemia I changed the end completely as it stands here now." And the melodies certainly reflect the Bohemian countryside he loved so much. Together they make an ideal programme, contrasting Dvorak's sweeping Bohemian passion with the refined wit and tenderness of Tchaikovsky's tribute to the rococo era. At the centre of it all is Marina Tarasova, a winner of International Competitions in Prague, Florence and Paris and a laureate of Moscow's Tchaikovsky International Competition. Partnering her is the Orpheus Radio Symphony Orchestra under it's principal conductor Sergey Kondrashev, a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory who trained under the legendary Mark Ermler and Gennady Rozhdestvensky.

Recorded in St. Petersburg in 2010, originally issued by LSO Live. Gramophone reviewed this very favorably; "Talented examples of the interest in Russian culture that binds together the apparently polarised worldly and spiritual aspects of Shchedrin... these finely executed pieces can be counted an important document. [Concertos] if you like your Russian concerto-playing declamatory and armour-plated, it could be just the treat you're looking for."

WORLD PREMIERES: (Levitin & Komarov Sonatas) Only the 2nd recording of the Komarov Concerto: "Rostropovich thanked [me] for the dedication, which remained in the handwritten score, and spoke very highly of the work and the tremendous performance of Marina Tarasova. At that time, we were already neighbours in the composer's house at No.13 Orgareva Street (now Gazetny Lane)". [Vladimir Komarov]

Anton Rubinstein (1829-94) was a central figure in the growth of Russian music in the second half of the 19th century. He was famous across Europe as a virtuoso pianist, but in Russia he was also well known as a composer, conductor and educator. In 1862, Rubinstein founded the St Petersburg Conservatory, where he would later teach Tchaikovsky. In 1866, Rubinstein's older brother, Nikolai, also an important pianist and composer, founded the Moscow Conservatory, and the two brothers played an important role in the consolidation of musical education in Russia. The cello concertos presented here demonstrate the two sides of Rubinstein's musical personality, combining aspects of the German techniques he had learned with distinctively Russian elements, especially in the folk-inspired melodies of their faster sections.

Three Soviet composers including Banschikov, one of the most underrated outside Russia, but who wrote only one quartet alongside much vocal and opera. Basner wrote in all forms including symphonies, but as a violinist himself he composed five string quartets and formed a strong relationship with the legendary Taneyev Quartet, who perform the best two here

Hideko Udagawa has performed extensively throughout the world and captivates international audiences with her artistry and enthusiasm. This violinist's latest album, Nostalgic Russia for Violin & Piano is set for USA release by Russian label Northern Flowers on 21 May 2021. A protege of legendary virtuoso Nathan Milstein, Ms. Udagawa's compelling program mirrors her long association with Russian music and culture. It spans from Dmitri Kabalevsky's haunting Improvisation Op.21 No.1 and Fritz Kreisler's transcription of the 'Hymn to the Sun' from Rimsky-Korsakov's opera The Golden Cockerel to Stravinsky's Chanson russe and characterful transcriptions of five pieces from Shostakovich's Preludes for piano Op.34. Other highlights include Valse sentimentale from Tchaikovsky's Six Pieces Op.51 and a transcription of Scriabin's sublime Nocturne Op.5 No.1. The album was recorded last November at the Church of St Silas the Martyr in north London in company with the Russian pianist Petr Limonov.

This is dedicated to the remarkable Russian harpist Tatiana Tower who became a musical legend of Leningrad. Born in Moscow in 1945 she started playing harp at the age of four on the advice of her aunt, soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre. She studied at the Gnessin College, and at the Moscow Conservatory. In 1969 she won the first International Harp Competition in Hartford, USA, and became a prize winner of international music festivas of Latin America. In 1968, Tatiana Tower's life took a momentous turn - she became soloist of the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra headed by Evgeny Mravinsky

First complete set of these works on one disc. Marina Tarasova has established herself as an authority in the music of Weinberg whose centenary comes up in December 2019. Her highly acclaimed recording of the concertino on Northern Flowers has been sensationally received