Reflections of Romanticism Donizetti Schumann Grieg for piano 4 - hands by Marina Porchkhidze & Vladimir Shinov

Pianists are known for their uncompromisingly artistic activity in the field of music performance and pedagogy, unprecedented in their love to bear the light of their sacred art to a wide audience of the listeners:from very young students and amateurs to sophisticated professionals. Success of the piano duo- in their heartfulness,passion, in willingness to be not just entertainers, but original music thinkers.

This CD is undoubtedly has all the best:inginius creative spirit and generosity of the hearts...Piano duo has given over three hundred recitals in USA, Europe and Russia during its 22-years career, including appearances on TV and Radio.

Their performances is featuring a fair amount of Europian, Russian, compositions by V.Shinov. One of duo's last recitals have been given in New York at the theatre at St.Clement's Episcopal Church, and in Russia[ concerts, dedicated to 300-years Anniversary of Sanct Petersburg and Petrozavodsk]. In January of 2004 piano duo of M.Porchkhidze & V. Shinov will celebrate their 22 years of collaboration by presenting a recital at CARNEGIE HALL - Weill Recital Hall in which they will perform a major portion of the cd.

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.

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