1. Orlande De Lassus (1530-1594): Fantasy No. 1 (Arr. for Two Cellos) 2. Orlande De Lassus (1530-1594): Fantasy No. 2 (Arr. for Two Cellos) 3. Orlande De Lassus (1530-1594): Fantasy No. 3 (Arr. for Two Cellos) 4. Orlande De Lassus (1530-1594): Fantasy No. 4 (Arr. for Two Cellos) 5. David Popper (1843-1913): Suite for Two Cellos, Op. 16: I. Andante Grazioso 6. David Popper (1843-1913): Suite for Two Cellos, Op. 16: II. Gavotte. Allegro Vivace Ma Non Troppo 7. David Popper (1843-1913): Suite for Two Cellos, Op. 16: III. Scherzo. Quasi Presto 8. David Popper (1843-1913): Suite for Two Cellos, Op. 16: IV. Largo Espressivo 9. David Popper (1843-1913): Suite for Two Cellos, Op. 16: V. Marcia. Finale. Allegro Ma Non Troppo 10. Auguste-Joseph Franchomme (1808-1884): 12 Caprices, Op. 7: No. 9 in B Minor CELLISTS: RUSLAN BIRYUKOV NATHAN LE This recording is made by a teacher and a student perform together. Repertoire of the highest level of difficulty, some of the most virtuoso pieces ever composed for cello, almost never performed live and seldom recorded before. Premiere rendition of music from late Renaissance period (in a form of contemporary arrangement) and up to the end of 19th century, representing a romantic saloon style of chamber musicianship composed by cellists only. This recording presents a unique opportunity to observe at once evolvement of the approach to playing on the instrument while enjoying exquisite melodicism with clean style harmonization. Cello, a string instrument most akin to the human voice introduced from vocal to most instrumental perspective. WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING: FOUR FANTASIES BY ORLANDE DE LASSUS (1530-1594) Orlande de Lassus (also Roland de Lassus, Orlando di Lasso, Orlandus Lassus, Orlande de Lattre or Roland de Lattre), Netherlandish composer of late Renaissance period. Fantasies were originally composed for singing and published for violin & cello, performed on two celli, the instrument most akin to the human voice, arrangement made by Ruslan Biryukov and Nathan Le. Orlando de Lassus is considered to be the chief representative of the mature polyphonic style of the Franco-Flemish school, and one of the three most famous and influential musicians in Europe at the end of the 16th century (the other two being Palestrina and Victoria). This recording represents a contemporary view of Renaissance music, performed with present days’ vision and instruments, but original sense of style. DAVID POPPER: SUITE FOR 2 CELLI, OP.16 David Popper (1843-1913) was a Bohemian cellist and composer. Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians described him thus: "His tone is large and full of sentiment; his execution highly finished, and his style classical." Graduate of Prague Conservatory and student of Julius Goltermann (1825–1876), Popper was a protégé of Baron Hans von Bülow and Franz Liszt (both notable pianists, composers and conductors). Popper was one of the last great cellists who did not use an endpin (though adopting it at the end of his life). Popper’s music represents a romantic saloon style of virtuosic cello music, somewhat reminiscent of Chopin and Liszt. AUGUSTE FRANCHOMME: CAPRICE NO. 9 IN B MIINOR FOR TWO CELLI, OP.7 Auguste-Joseph Franchomme (1808 – 1884) was a French cellist and composer. For his contributions to music, he was decorated with the Légion d'honneur. Franchomme was the most celebrated cellist of his time and contributed to the refinement of the bowing technique—elegant, sweet, and light—which distinguished the French school developed by Duport brothers. He was renowned for deft, precise, and expressive powers of execution. As Weekly Chronicle and Register noted in 1856, he "carefully abstains from all abuse of the tremolo and of the exaggerated expression which are the distinguishing features in most modern violoncello playing". Caprice No 9 in B Minor is a well-known piece since its often performed at the cello competitions. Nathan Le performed it as a part of his Tchaikovsky Competition program in 2014, winning 3rd Prize and Bronze medal. ABOUT THE ARTISTS: RUSLAN BIRYUKOV • "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) 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 seasons 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 and Lalo cello concertos performed 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 (Rococo Variations) in Los Angeles. Upcoming appearances include Brahms Double Concerto with Huntington Beach and Redlands Symphonies performed with LA Opera Concertmister, violinist Roberto Cani. 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. Additionally, Mr. Biryukov is a co-host of “The Cool Classics” radio show broadcast live at the LA Talk Live Radio station (in collaboration with conductor Frank Fetta). 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 250 prizes on various competitions worldwide including 8th International Youth Tchaikovsky Competition (Nathan Le, 3rd Prize), American Protégé International Competition in New York, American Fine Arts International Festival, Lansum International Completion in Los Angeles, San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Symphony, Inland Valley, Culver City Symphony, Redlands Bowl Symphony Concerto Competitions, etc. 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. In 2016 Mr. Biryukov became a naturalized citizen of United States. Additionally, Mr. Biryukov is the only professional cellist in the World granted United States Commercial Pilot license and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument single & multi-engine airplanes licenses (SEL,MEL,CFII, MEI). NATHAN LE Cellist Nathan Le made his solo debut at age 11 performing Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 with the Russian State Symphony Orchestra in St. Petersburg, Russia. Three years later, he became the first California native to become a Laureate of the 8th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow, Russia. Student of Ruslan Biryukov and Ronald Leonard (Colburn Music Academy), starting this fall Nathan will continue his education with Laurence Lesser at the New England Conservatory/Harvard University dual-degree program. A Los Angeles native, Nathan has performed with many orchestras in the Los Angeles area, such as the Torrance Symphony, the Culver City Symphony, the San Fernando Valley Symphony, the New West Symphony, and the Dana Point Symphony, performing cello concerti by Elgar, Haydn, Saint-Saëns, and Tchaikovsky. The Culver City Examiner noted that he “[performed] flawlessly” and praised his “superb mastery of technique…and artistry.” Nathan has also performed internationally in countries such as Russia, Austria, and Armenia. Most recently, the First Lady of Armenia invited him to perform at a music festival commemorating the centennial of the Armenian genocide. In addition, in the summer of 2014, during the final round of the 8th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, he had the opportunity to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory with the New Russian State Symphony Orchestra. Nathan’s other competition wins include 1st Prize at the Los Angeles Violoncello Society Competition, 1st Prize at the MTAC VOCE State Competition, and 1st Prize in the Rosamonde Laberge Music Foundation Bursary. He was also a finalist at the American Protégé International Competition, runner-up at the Mondavi Center Young Artists’ Competition, and semifinalist at the Stulberg International String Competition. He has performed on the L’Ermitage Foundation Concert Series with renowned pianist Robert Thies, and has also appeared on the NPR radio show “From the Top” hosted by concert pianist Christopher O’Reilly at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at the University of California in Davis, CA. He was also the winner of the 2017 YMF/ASCAP Foundation Leiber and Stoller Scholarship Competition. Nathan has attended summer music programs such as Center Stage Strings, where he studied with Jacob Braun, the Meadowmount School of Music, where he studied with Hans Jørgen Jensen, and the Itzhak Perlman Music Program. In addition, he had the opportunity at the Meadowmount School to collaborate with the late Joseph Silverstein and other students performing Strauss’s Sextet from his opera Capriccio. He has also performed in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Gary Hoffman, Robert deMaine, Ben Hong, and Ruslan Biryukov. As a church musician, Nathan has been involved with the music ministries of the Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, often performing in their holiday concerts. Nathan is also a composer, whose works have been recognized in competitions such as the NextNotes Competition and the National Young Composers’ Challenge. He was also a student at the LA Phil Associate Composer Program. In 2012, he composed his first symphony, entitled “Crisis in Japan,” which was premiered by the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra. AUDIO Recorded on May 26&27, 2017 in Los Angeles. Recording engineer Matthew Snyder. Matthew Snyder has been specializing in producing, recording, editing, and mastering classical music throughout the United States for over 30 years. A Grammy Award-winning recording engineer and Grammy Award nominated producer, Matthew has been praised by his clients for his distinctive sound. His background as a classically trained musician helps him better understand the recording artists' needs and help their creativity during the a session. Matthew Snyder majored in Music Performance at California State University Northridge, Mannes College of Music in New York and UCLA. His experience includes recording some of the worlds most prominent solo and chamber musicians such as violinists Pinchas Zukerman and Josef Suk, pianists Emanuel Ax, Andre Watts, Lang Lang, and Yuja Wang, cellist Lynn Harrell, the Guarneri String Quartet, the Tokyo String Quartet, the Shanghai Quartet, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony and many others. Matthew has been the chief recording engineer for prestigious music festivals such as the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (NM), Music from Angel Fire (NM), La Jolla Music Society Summerfest (CA), the Long Beach Bach Festival (CA), the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music (AZ), the Mainly Mozart (CA), the Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival (AZ), Southwest Chamber Music, and the Chamber Music Northwest (OR). Matthew has recorded on major labels such as Sony Masterworks, Delos, KOCH International, BMG Classics, Centaur Recordings, Albany Recording, Orfeo, Cambria Master Recordings, and Alfred Publishing.