Composer's Notebook 6

The two cello concertos on this album reveal both the lighter and darker sides of Alexey Shor's musical work. Concerto No. 2 was composed during the Covid-19 lockdown and displays, despite its exuberance and lively melodies, a deeply melancholic element that rarely appears in Shor's oeuvre. Cello Concerto No. 3 is a captivating, lyrical and harmonically rich addition to the repertoire. The charming "Humoresque" is an early work that bridges classical tradition and contemporary sensibility. Cellist Dmitry Yablonsky is a Grammy-nominated cellist and conductor. He has transcribed and arranged works for cello that have been published by International Music Company and Dover Publications. His colleague Narek Hakhnazaryan won first prize and the gold medal at age 22 at the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition. Hakhnazaryan received the Movses Khorenatsi Medal for outstanding achievements in culture and received a title in honor of outstanding artists of Armenia.