published Atlantic Highlands Herald 20 April 2006

press release

Duo for Strings and Keys with Alexander Tsygankov and Inna Shevchenko

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Wednesday, May 3, at 7:30 pm, concertgoers will enjoy a unique musical performance. Middletown Township Library and the Monmouth Conservatory of Music will present a traditional domra-piano concert with world-renowned Russian artists, Alexander Tsygankov and Inna Shevchenko. The program includes classical works, Russian folk tunes, and jazz-influenced compositions.

Sometimes called the “Russian Paganini”, for his dramatic performance style, domra virtuoso Tsygankov played with the Osipov Balalaika Orchestra (Moscow) as its principal soloist and concert master for more than a decade. His work as a composer, performer, and teacher has brought new recognition to the domra. He has been recognized as a “Distinguished Artist of Russia” and “People’s Artist of Russia”, and is a significant modern composer. His wife and accompanist, Inna Shevchenko, is a gifted pianist and an award winning musician in her own right. These two extraordinary musicians play infrequently in the US – this is a unique opportunity to hear them here, in the comfortable small hall at Middletown Library.

The domra is an ancient instrument, thought to have been brought to Russia by the Mongols in the thirteenth century. During its history, the domra has been banned in Russia for long periods by both the Orthodox Church and the state because of its association with mocking ballads performed by itinerant street musicians, or “skomorokhi.” .The domra ban gave rise to the invention of the similar, but differently shaped balalaika. In the late 1800s the domra was again allowed, and orchestras in Russia now include both domra and balalaika.

Tsygankov, the “master of the domra masters” has toured in this country before, beginning with unique cold war era concerts at the Kennedy Center and in the White House. In New York he has played at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and he is a familiar artist in Canada, Japan, Mexico and most European countries. He has published several books of original compositions and arrangements and classical transcriptions for the domra. His music is also available on CD. At Middletown Township Library, the concert will include classical, folk, and popular music by N.Budashkin, .A.Tsygankov, D.Shostacovich, H.Vieuxtemps, A. Bazzini, V.Ditel, N.Paganini-V.Yakovle