SELDOM RECORDED REPERTOIRE FOR CELLO & PIANO PERFORMED LIVE 1. Frédéric Chopin - Introduction Et Polonaise Brillante, Op. 3 2. Édouard Lalo - Sonata for Cello & Piano in a Minor: I. Andante Non Troppo — Allegro Moderato 3. Édouard Lalo - Sonata for Cello & Piano in a Minor: II. Andante 4. Édouard Lalo - Sonata for Cello & Piano in a Minor: III. Allegro (Revised 1856 Version) 5. Alexander Arutiunian (aka Arutyunyan, Arutjunjan, Harutiunian )- POEM for Cello & Piano ARTISTS: * "Astonishing young cellist Ruslan Biryukov. The audience gave the concert a standing ovation. If the first concert is any consideration, I would get my tickets early!" – Wendy Kikkert, Beverly Hills Outlook • "To say the performance was incredible would not do it justice." - Jose Ruiz, Review Plays • "Ruslan is an extraordinary; one of a kind performer. He has everything: technique, virtuosity, personality, communication, attractive and articulate presence, a great human story and background! He will be a big WINNER!" – Peter Mark, Artistic Director, Virginia Opera • "Ruslan is a charismatic performer who brings the audiences to their feet. His artistry is both sensitive and passionate and his technical command of the instrument is stunning." – Eleonore Schoenfeld, Piatigorsky Chair, Thornton School of Music Founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Cello Quartet, Artistic Director of Positive Motions Concert Series in Los Angeles, Cellist Ruslan Biryukov (Руслан Бирюков, www.CelloArt.com) known for his "superb artistry, passion and individuality." Mr. Biryukov represents a new generation of creative professional musicians whose artistic level is recognized not only by awards, but also by a worldwide audience. Ruslan was the only cellist ever invited to perform for 10 consecutive years solo recitals at the Sundays Live Concert Series in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the longest running live radio broadcasted concert series in the United States, as well as the only Russian cellist invited to solo with orchestra during the inaugural season of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Orange County. Recent appearances include Dvorak cello concerto performances with the Redlands Bowl Symphony and Marina Del Rey Symphony (Summer Series), Glendale Philharmonic (“Bestemming” Cello Concerto by Sharon Farber, World Premiere) and San Bernardino Symphony in Los Angeles. Memorable chamber music experience includes performances with world-renowned violinist Midori at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles, cellist Kirill Rodin at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory, and members of the Ysaye Quartet. Mr. Biryukov has been a master teacher in music festivals in Europe and Russia. He has held teaching positions at the Ippolitov-Ivanov State Institute of Music in Moscow, Russia, the Music Academy in Lovran, Croatia and California Institute of Music, United States. His creative artistic ideas are based upon the traditions he learned from esteemed artists Kirill Rodin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniil Shafran, Natalia Gutman, Janos Starker, Steven Isserlis, and Eleonore Schoenfeld. Within last decade of his teaching career his students won over 200 prizes on various competitions worldwide including 8th International Youth Tchaikovsky Competition (Nathan Le, 3rd Prize), American Protégé International Competition in New York (Meagan Wu and Stephen Yang, 1st Prizes), American Fine Arts International Festival (Zoe Lavoie-Gagne, Stephen Yang, 1st Prizes), San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Symphony, Culver City Symphony Concerto Competitions (Margaret Zhou, Andrea Yu, etc). Ruslan was born in Baku, Azerbaijan and received his formal music education at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory in Russia (Master of Music, M.A.), and the USC Thornton School of Music in United States (Artist Diploma and Graduate Certificate). He first earned international recognition by winning major awards in Azerbaijan and by the inclusion of his name in the Golden Book of Russia's international program "New Names". Biryukov has gone on to win numerous other awards worldwide, including the Grand Prize at the 17th Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition. Since 2003 Mr. Biryukov resides in Los Angeles, United States. He was awarded permanent residency from the U.S. government as an “Extraordinary Ability Artist.” The title means that he has “sustained national or international acclaim and the achievements have been recognized” in his field, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, Mr. Biryukov is the only musician in the World granted US Commercial Pilot license and Certified Flight Instructor single/multi-engine instrument license (SEL,MEL,CFII, MEI). To read more about Ruslan Biryukov visit www.CelloArt.com, www.GlendalePhil.com, www.TheCoolClassics.com ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Armen Guzelimian's distinguished career enjoys national and international acclaim for his versatility as a top-ranking collaborative artist, a first-rate virtuoso soloist in his own right, and a sought-after master vocal coach. For one of his numerous guest appearances in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Chamber music concerts, Los Angeles Times Music Critic Mark Swed wrote: “Guzelimian was understated but superbly detailed and magisterially musical...he is a chamber music master who contributed just the kind of support that makes everyone sound better. He has the discipline and authority that makes freedom possible and responsible, that makes the best chamber music serve as a grand model for society.” Guzelimian has appeared with the LA Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Nebraska Chamber 0rchestra, American Youth Symphony among others. He has performed at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Steamboat Springs Chamber Music Festival, Santa Barbara Chamber Music Festival, San Luis Obispo Music Festival, Aspen Festival and school. This coming June, he will be a soloist on the opening concert of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra, Michael Feinstein conducting. The pianist has partnered such luminaries as Viktoria Mullova, Thomas Zehetmair, Miraim Fried, Kim Kashkashian, Lars Tomter, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Thomas Hampson, Lucia Popp, Peter Schreier. Other chamber music partners include the Rossetti String Quartet, Angeles Quartet, the Spokane Quartet. Guzelimian has performed in many of the major music capitals of the world- London, Paris, Vienna, Brussels, and most of the major concert halls in the U.S.. Tonight marks his Disney Hall debut. Guzelimian has diverse recordings on the EMI, Angel, Teldec, Nonesuch, Delos ,Crystal and Orion labels. His latest recording of solo piano music by Armenian composers is now available on CD Baby and Amazon. Many of his performances have been heard nationally on the NPR and other radio networks, and he can be seen performing on the Classic Arts Showcase on PBS as well as in diretor Peter Rosen's documentary SHADOWS IN PARADISE that was aired throughout Europe in 2008 and on PBS. The pianist made his silver screen debut in Robert Altman's Short Cuts. In the realm of contemporary music, Guzelimian has had the great fortune of working with/performing in the presence of such great composers as Aram Khachaturian, Alan Hovhaness, Witold Lutoslawski, Tigran Mansurian. He is honored to have had piano music composed for him by Thomas Pasatieri and Byron Adams. As an inspiring educator, the pianist has been on the faculties of Music Academy of the West, Thornton School of Music at USC, with guest residencies at the Eastman School of Music, Loyola University of New Orleans,University of Maryland, Aspen School. He is in demand for master classes across the nation, as well as adjudicator for piano and vocal competitions.