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        N  e  w  s  l  e  t  t  e  r           Issue 26  FALL, 2014
Featured Artists

  


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  Hideaki     

 

FEATURED ARTIST

 

 Hideaki Hirai, Conductor  


BV Artists International is pleased to introduce the exceptionally talented conductor and composer HIDEAKI HIRAI, who according to The Den, has "a talent deeply ingrained in his genes." He is one of the most gifted young conductors from Japan. In December, 2013, "Maestro Hirai made a remarkable Carnegie Hall debut" (The New York Culture Examiner) with rave reviews such as "especially impressive, dynamic, confident, justly deserving of the standing ovation" (The New York Concert Review), conducting from memory Beethoven's 9th Symphony withNew York Festival Orchestra (NYFO). Following on this great success, NYFO has appointed him Music Director and Conductor, starting in the 2014-2015 season. Since 1998, he has collaborated with Czech Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra both in the Czech Republic and abroad, now serving as Principal Guest Conductor.

  

Highlights of the 2012/13 season include his sensational debut at the Wiener Staatsoper and his successful debut in Salzburg for the Austrian premiere of his own acclaimed opera, "Princess from the Moon (Kaguya-hime)." In August, 2015, this opera, already performed in many cities including Prague and Canberra, will have its U.S. premiere in Los Angeles. Besides, Maestro Hirai has written two other operas: "True Love of Komachi" and "The White Fox" which have also become very popular through their numerous performances in Japan. In 1997, he was the first prizewinner of the Sixth International Conducting Competition in Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic). In 2001 Mr. Hirai was selected by Lorin Maazel as one of the ten promising conductors in Asia.

  

2014 Highlights: 

On February 22, 2014, Hideaki Hirai conducted his Opera (in 2 Acts), "Princess from the Moon" (Kaguya-hime) in the finale of the renewal opening series of the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall in Japan. On June 15, he conducted and recorded a live CD with Hamamatsu Symphony Orchestra at the Act City Hamamatsu Concert Hall, Japan. On June 20, Maestro Hirai conducted the Czech Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra at the Mozart Hall of the Czech State Opera, Brno, Czech Republic. On June 25, he conducted the Sofia Sinfonietta at the Municipal Culture Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria. On August 3, Hideaki conducted his Opera, "True Love of Komachi" (in 3 Acts) at Tsuchiura City Culture Hall, Japan. On November 30, he conducted his Opera, "The White Fox" (in 3 Acts), translation, libretto and music by Hideaki Hirai; Original English libretto by Kakuzo (Tenshin) Okakura, at Myoko City, Niigata, Japan. On December 14, Maestro Hirai conducted the Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Academic Orchestra of TOKYO, in Saitama, Japan.
 

For more information visit:

www.Hideaki-Hirai.com  

   
 Broooklyn
Brooklyn Baroque


Rebecca Pechefsky performing at
Handel House, London
 

Brooklyn Baroque's harpsichordist Rebecca Pechefsky made her London debut in September with a recital at Handel House. In December Brooklyn Baroque and Friends presented Music at Morris-Jumel's Annual Holiday Concert. They were joined by the renowned countertenor Drew Minter and several other eminent Baroque string players, including violinist Theresa Salomon and cellist Carlene Stober. The program featured Bach's Cantata 54 and pieces by Caldara, Corrette, Telemann, Locatelli, and C. P. E. Bach. The concert was part of a season-long celebration of the Morris-Jumel Mansion's 250th anniversary.

 

For more information visit:
www.rebeccapechefsky.com/brooklynbaroque    

 IvoVarbanov
 Ivo Varbanov, Pianist

Ivo Varbanov and Fiammetta Tarli
founders of ICSM Records
 
ICSM Records, created by our artist Ivo Varbanov and his wife Fiammetta Tarli (both pianists), is receiving its first very positive reviews on their recordings. Here are some excerpts. Their North American distributor is  Allegro Classical in Oregon.


 
Everything about these albums exhibits not just a feeling of quality but a feeling of love and caring for the music and for its communication through the medium of recording... There is not a single track on any of these four CDs I'd want to be without. The music is self-recommending, Varbanov and Tarli's playing of it is everything one could ask for and then some, and the recordings from this new ICSM label are amazing.  

  

- Jerry Dubins, Fanfare


In each of the solo recordings the playing reveals details of the music I hadn't heard before - in such central repertoire that's quite an achievement.


- Martin Anderson, Klassisk Musikkmagasin

Special mention should be made of the very extensive, intelligent, and well-written booklet notes by Malcolm MacDonald; they were an education in themselves.

- Huntley Dent, Fanfare

ABOUT ICSM 001: Fiammetta Tarli & Ivo Varbanov, piano four hands  J. Brahms, Walzer Op. 39, Liebeslieder Walzer Op. 52a, Neue Liebeslieder Walzer Op. 65a,  Brahms on the piano - volume 1

A dizzying experience... Husband and wife Ivo Varbanov and Fiammetta Tarli bring sparkle and swing...on...the first outing on their new label.

- Stephen Pritchard, The Observer

Simple and subtle approach of Varbanov/Tarli...Their subtle use of rubato, of agogic accents, of pause and breath belie that they are two separate performers playing here, so in tune, so in sync are their conceptions of this music. This is, simply put, Brahms as it should be played.

- Scott Noriega, Fanfare

Amazingly, when you subtract the vocal side of the Liebeslieder Waltzes, the piano reduction brings unexpected interest...A purely instrumental rendering is rather like hearing a large new set of Brahms intermezzos.

- Huntley Dent, Fanfare

I was surprised to find that Brahms' three waltz-cycles end-to-end make a kind of mega-cycle of their own - and that the ear remains fresh after an hour of waltzes is a tribute to the intelligence and inventiveness of the performances, which bubble with joy... Here you have an hour of sheer delight. 

 - Martin Anderson, Klassisk Musikkmagasin 
    

ABOUT ICSM 002:
Ivo Varbanov, piano LEGACY   
L. v. Beethoven, Bagatelles Op. 126  R. Schumann, Gesange der Fruhe, Op. 133  J. Brahms, 6 Chorale Preludes Op. 122 (transcription F. Busoni)

Legacy...It is this idea of late style that seems to inspire Varbanov: His playing has a quality of utmost subtlety, reverence, and seriousness of purpose; it is profound music, yet delivered in a simple and recognizable manner. The pianist's playing is ideally suited to this anything but virtuosic program-though one not without its difficulties-especially in the more lyrical moments.  
- Scott Noriega, Fanfare

Within this theme of last keyboard works, Varbanov presents a wide variety of mood and technique. He makes a particularly strong case for the Schumann pieces through his forceful, committed delivery. Varbanov's reading of the Beethoven bagatelles is assured and unadorned...I like the stout (dare one say Lutheran?) spiritual conviction Varbanov brings to them. This whole recital...is pungent and intriguing.

- Huntley Dent, Fanfare

For more information visit: www.icsmrecords.com  

  

Stankov 

Stankov Ensemble    

 



Stankov Ensemble's debut CD Album "Musical Evenings with Stankov Ensemble" will be released for Christmas, 2014. It features a mosaic of works for voice, violin, and piano by American and European composers such as Alan Hovhanes, Luis Spohr, Emmanuel Chabrier, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Gustav Holst. The album also includes a number of pieces specially dedicated to Stankov Ensemble by the renowned Bulgarian composers Gheorghi Arnaoudov and Antoni Donchev. The ensemble also looks forward to a busy first half of 2015 with performances at several international festivals in Bart, Germany, and Sofia, Bulgaria

 

For more information visit:
www.StankovEnsembel.com

 

 

 Veselin
Veselin Ninov, Pianist


 Special performance on the North American
Tour of the Horowitz piano.
        

BV Artists International's pianist Veselin Ninov opened his fall concert season with several performances. He gave a Faculty Recital as a jury member of the Young Talented Pianists competition on September 12th in Roslyn, NY.

On September 15th, he was invited by Steinway & Sons to perform on the restored original piano owned by Vladimir Horowitz. He exhibited the incredible qualities and endless sound possibilities of the Model D in a series called 'Legendary Instruments of the Immortals.' This is the second time Veselin was invited to play on the Horowitz piano, following his concert in 2012. The Series is part of the North American Tour of the instrument.

(photo: above)

 

On October 23rd and 30th, Veselin Ninov collaborated with conductor Susan Deaver and the North Shore Symphony Orchestra for two rehearsals of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto. During the 2015-16, season the Orchestra will feature his performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's Second Piano Concerto.

  

In November Ninov was one of the featured artists for the Bulgarian National Radio. Over the years he has recorded many times for the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) as part of musical festivals and international competitions, including his performance of Mozart's Concerto No.23 in the finals of the Pancho Vladigerov Competition. Please listen to part of his interview for the media and a few of his early and recent recordings: CLICK HERE

 

For more information visit Veselin at:
www.BVArtistsInternational.com 


Dear Friends and Colleagues: Kalin Ivanov, Art. Dir.

I hope that our fall and also end-of-the-year issue finds you well and in good holiday cheer! This past year has been exceptional for us and our artists, and we hope it was for you as well! Please enjoy reading the current issue, as there is more exciting news of success to share. We hope these updates and announcements add to the spirit of celebration!

We are very thankful for your continuous support as readers and for your contributions to our new project with the New York Festival Orchestra about which you can learn  more from this issue.    
   

With much appreciation for your continued support and best wishes for the holidays and a healthy and happy New Year!  

 

Yours,  

Kalin Ivanov, Artistic Director

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  Svilen
Svilen Simeonov, Conductor

 

 Svilen Simeonov, and Emanuell Pahud with
Nis Symphony Orchestra at the closing night
of the Nimus Festival in Serbia 
   

This fall, Maestro Svilen Simeonov made several appearances as a guest conductor. In September, he conducted the Symphony Orchestra of Rio Grande do Norte, in Brazil, with soloist Kalin Ivanov. The performence included the South American Premiere of the cello concerto of Rick Sowash (dedicated to Mr. Ivanov). Maestro Simeonov also guest conducted the Nis Symphony Orchestra in September, November, and December. As the Principal Conductor, he has regular performances with Sinfonietta Vidin and Sofia Sinfonietta during the season. The highlight of his Ffall schedule was the concert on November 14, 2014, with the famous flute soloist--principal flute of the Berlin Philharmonic under Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle--Emanuell Pahud and the Nis Symphony Orchestra at the closing night of the Nimus Festival in Serbia which was a big success! His December schedule included several Holiday concerts with Nis Symphony Orchestra in Serbiaandin Bulgaria with Sinfonietta Sofia. Maestro Simeonov starts 2015 in Spain on a tour of the most prominent concerts halls in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia with the Nis Symphony Orchestra. More about the tour at: www.Promoconcert.es  


Kalin
 Kalin Ivanov, Cellist

Kalin Ivanov and Linus Lerner perform the European Premiere of the Rick Sowash's cello concerto at the special closing night of Fondi Music Festival, Italy
 

Kalin Ivanov, cellist, had a wonderful fall season. He performed the South American Premiere of the cello concerto of Rick Sowash (dedicated to Mr. Ivanov in 2006) as the soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Rio Grande do Norte, Svilen Simeonov Conductor in Natal, Brazil and later on he performed the official European Premiere of the same concerto with Orchestra da Camera "Citt� di Fondi," with Linus Lerner, Conductor, at the special closing night of the Fondi Music Festival.  (Mr. Ivanov also played the World Premier of Sowash concerto at Carnegie Hall in April, 2007). In Brazil, Mr. Ivanov led cello master class with members of the orchestra and in December, 2014, in Italy, Kalin was invited to lead cello and chamber music Master Classes at the Fondi Music Festival as well as at the Accademia Musicale Praeneste in Rome.

 

For more information visit: www.KalinIvanov.com 

  

  Linus     

Linus Lerner, Conductor   


Linus Lerner and Edwin E. S. Kim with Symphony Orchestra of Rio Grande do Norte in Natal, Brazil

Maestro Linus Lerner was very busy during the fall months. Some of his seasons's highlights are:

 

- Concert with Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO) and Oaxaca Opera Festival Singers for the Mexican Independence to a full house at the FOX Theater in Tucson, AZ, on September 15. In the repertory, gems of Operas plus Marquez's Danzon No. 2 and Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol No. 1 with Mexican singers and SASO at the end of the concert.

 

- Concert in South Korea with the Korean Peace Orchestra playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto  (VIDEO) and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 (VIDEO) - Seonang Cultural Center, Seoul - October 10, 2014.

 

- Concert with Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra with pianist Sara Shen playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. Also in the program: Holst's "The Planets" - St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Tucson, AZ - Oct 5, 2014.

 

- Concert with Symphony Orchestra of Rio Grande do Norte with Larry Leung at the Guzheng playing "The Butterfly Lovers." Also in the program: Borodin's Symphony No. 2. Teatro Alberto Maranho, Natal, Brazil, October 30, 2014.

 

- Concerts with Symphony Arlington, the Garland Symphony, and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra with Emily Sun playing Barber's violin concerto. Also in the program, works by Rossini and Mendelsohn's Symphony No 4 (Arlington, Garland and Irving, Texas, Nov 14, 15 and 16).  

 

- Concert with Southern Arizona Orchestra and violinist Edwin. E. S. Kim playing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major. Also in the program: works by local composers and Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasia.  

 

- Concert with Orchestra da Camera "Citt� di Fondi," at the special closing night of the Fondi Music Festival, Italy - Dec 07, 2014, including the European premiere of the Rick Sowash Cello Concerto with Kalin Ivanov Soloist, Barber's Adagio, and Tchaikovsky's Serenade in C Major for Strings Op. 48.

 

- Also in December (17th and 18th): two concerts with Symphony Orchestra of Rio Grande do Norte performing the Nutcracker with CDTAM ballet and the last concert of the season with OSRN and special soloists in a Holiday concert. 

 

For more information visit:
www.LinusLerner.com
   
  Hampson
Hampson Sisler, Composer

  

Hampson Sisler had a very busy and enjoyable fall. His works were broadcast on several Classical radio stations, and he gave wonderful interviews as well. He was also invited for MINDING YOUR BUSINESS (MYB), the TV Show for Business and Artistic Entrepreneurs produced by June Middleton. Please use the links below to listen to the radio and TV shows to learn more about Hampson Sisler's achievements. Mr. Sisler introduced a new organ installation by way of a recital at St. Hugh's R. C. Church, Greenbelt, MD, on Saturday, October 25, 2014.  The musical program included works by J. S. Bach, Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Charles Marie Widor. The latest piece written by Mr. Sisler is his cello concerto, commissioned by BV Artists International and dedicated to the cellist, Kalin Ivanov, by the composer. 

   

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Choir & Organ, London - November/December issue CD(s) review and The Organ and Musical Opinion, London

 

Monday, November 17, 2014

PIPEDREAMS broadcast 

 
Saturday, November 15, 2014
The latest show on Classical Music Discoveries Radio has been the number 2 show for over a week! Sislesr's show has attracted: 

OVER 35.5 MILLION LISTENERS WORLD-WIDE! 

 

To listen copy/paste1107 Hampson Sisler Songs of the Sages in the search engine on:   www.ClassicalMusicDiscoveries.com 

  

Saturday, October 18, 2014

New show with Hampson Sisler on Classical Music Discoveries Radio

To listen copy/paste - 1103 Hampson Sisler - The Cosmic Divide in the search engine on: www.ClassicalMusicDiscoveries.com  

 
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 6:30 PM
The Show for Business and Artistic Entrepreneurs
Produced by June Middleton - Directed by Ed Middleton

  

GUESTS:                

  

HAMPSON SISLER - An American Composer
KALIN IVANOV - Artistic Director, BV Artists International
   
To watch the show NOW at any time:
 CLICK HERE 

 

Watch In Manhattan: Time Warner Channel 56/RCN Channel 83/Verizon Channel 34 OR at: www.mnn.org Ch 2

 
October 2, 2014

Hampson Sisler's Interview and CDs presentation with David Osenberg, Cadenza host and WWFM Radio and The Classical Network Music Director. To listen  Mr. Sisler's Radio show please CLICK HERE 

 
September, 2014
FM 98.5 CKWR Radio, CANADA. Tom Quick, host of Monday Evening Concerts will include Sisler's music in his shows as a part of MSR Classics Label broadcasts. 

  

September 1, 2014

Hampson Sisler's show with the CD Phoenix Forever takes NO.1 place on Classical Music Discovery Radio. In just a week, Sisler's show attracted over 26.7 million listeners world-wide!
To listen copy/paste - 1047 Hampson Sisler - Phoenix Forever in
the search engine on: www.ClassicalMusicDiscoveries.com 

  

For more information visit: 

www.HampsonSisler.com    

  

video 

FEATURED VIDEOS   

 

Hideaki Hirai, Conductor

Czech Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra     

HIDEAKI HIRAI conducts Mozart Symphony No 35 Haffner 2nd movt excerpt
HIDEAKI HIRAI conducts Mozart's Symphony No 35 "Haffner" 2nd mov't (excerpt),
Rec. in Czech Republic
HIDEAKI HIRAI conducts his own work INTERMEZZO Opera Princess from the Moon rec. in Vienna, 2012
HIDEAKI HIRAI conducts his own work, INTERMEZZO from the Opera, "Princess from the Moon", Rec. in Vienna

=============================

Linus Lerner, Conductor  

Korean Peace Orchestra     

Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D opus 61
LINUS LERNER conducts
Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D opus 61
Seongnam Center for The Arts, Seoul, Korea
Beethoven's Symphony No. 4
LINUS LERNER conducts
Beethoven - Symphony No. 4
Seongnam Center for The Arts, Seoul, Korea

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Newsletter Editor: Mila Hover 

BV Artists International

718-871-5041 | bvaintl@yahoo.com
www.BVArtistsInternational.com