Landscapes of the Soul by Vladimir Shinov & Marina Porchkhidze

"

Hector Zaraspe (private teacher of Rudolf Nuriev and Margo Fonteyn,professor of dance at the Julliard School, NYC)

Vladimir Shinov, the author of this CD, says: "Nature and Eternal Spirit within it forever remains for me the most valuable sources of inspiration.Rhythmical changes of daylight and darkness, wind, forests and lakes, trees with their deep and hidden stories have formed my music. Other important ideas are Memory, Love, Unity with the cosmos."

Marina Porchkhidze and Vladimir Shinov family team/musicians have gained recognition as pianists of uncommon versatility and imagination. They are multi-faceted artists, whose activities for about 25 years have included performing, teaching, lecturing, composing, musicological studies and poetry writing.

They are alumnies of the Leningrad (St.Petersburg) State Conservatory Petrozavodsk branch(Republic of Karelia, Russia). Vladimir holds M.A. in composition and music education. Marina holds M.A. in piano performance and music education.

Among their teachers were such celebrities as Nathan Perelman and Oleg Malov(piano), Josef Cohn(theory), and Eduard Patlayenko(composition).

After graduation musicians lived in Karelia, republic in northern Russia near Finland, had magnetic impact on many artists-Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Roerich among many others...

Throughout their careers they have performed as soloists, in chamber music and, as piano duo all over the world. In their homeland, Karelia, Vladimir and Marina were the first duet pianists, who have popularized this media.

Together they have appeared on several radio and television programs. Marina and Vladimir piano duet has been awarded for their outstanding performances by Russian Composers Union, "Melody"(most prominent Russian recording firm), and Karelian State Music Forum, among many others. Musicians have been recognized as "top-quality artists, whose performances are always highly appreciated by audiences and by professionals" "Music and Life"-magazine During two decades(1980-2002) they have performed in more than 240 recitals and gave dozens of Master Classes. 3 documental films, dedicated to the family team/musicians -"Pianist & Composer", "To compose an Opera", "Romance about Two"- have been released in Russia.

Porchkhidze-Shinov duo is extremely active in arts education. Teaching has remained for many years very special aspect of their creativity... Upon graduation they were appointed to the piano faculty of the Petrozavodsk College of Arts, a post lasting nearly 10 years, where they produced number of students who have gone on to professional careers. Marina and Vladimir also were the founders of one of the first private music school in Karelia. They taught children piano, music theory and literature, and directed students in writing and performing their own piano music and mini-operas. 2 operas, written by 8-11 years old students of Vladimir and Marina have been performed in Kostamuksha at the International Festival.

Last 5 years in Karelia(1988-1993), family team have worked as hosts(president and vice-president) of Karelian Music Society. They have developed programs for young audiences, thus opened new perspectives for Art Education in their homeland.

Vladimir Shinov has produced cantatas, symphonic and vocal-symphonic, chamber-instrumental, vocal and theatrical compositions that were performed by leading soloists, ensembles and orchestras around the world. "The Kantele Birth", cantata for mixed chorus, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the 1st edition of the "Kalevala" (the great Finnish-Karelian epic) was awarded the First Prize at the Russian composers competition in 1984.

His compositions were published in St.Petersburg publishing house (Russia).

Since 1993 Ms.Porchkhidze and Mr.Shinov have been living in New York city, where in 1994 they established the piano studio(where more than 40 students study piano, theory and composition). The husband and wife team continues to pursue an active performing career in USA as well, and most recently they have performed at the Julliard School, Nicholas Roerich Museum, Riverside Church Theater and many other concert halls throughout the USA as well as in Russia, Finland, France, and Germany.

Presently Vladimir Shinov is working as a pianist-composer for leading dance companies such as The Julliard School, American Ballet Theater...

V.Shinov is a member of BMI(Broadcasting Music Inc.), New York.

Number of outstanding choreographers from all over the world have been using Vladimir Shinov's music.

Average Customer Review: