Slava Kazykin, Ludmila Zaitseva. Quasi una Fantasia. /digi-pack/.

Even though the clarinet was invented in 1690, its real birth took place in the 19^th century. As a result of lots of transformations and improvements, it turned into what we know it today: wide range, richness of timbre and great technical opportunities. Intrigued by all of these qualities, quite a lot of composers appeared interested in the instrument, which resulted in that the best-known pieces for the clarinet were composed in the 19^th century.

(information from the release's polygraph)

This CD is the result of a work on the 19th century's Western Europa music, under the artistic directorship of one of the best French clarinettists, Slava Kazykin's professor at the Musical Conservatory of Nantes (1995-1998), Jacques Dambrine. The disc reunites original works, which became traditional repertory of clarinet, such as: "Introduction, theme and variations" as well as "Fantasy" for clarinet and piano by G. Rossini, and "Fantasy on the themes of Rigoletto" by Verdi/Bassi. One can also find in there some adaptations made by Slava Kazykin on pieces like the "Gypsy Airs" by P. Sarasate using traditional techniques of the gypsy music, "Moto perpetuo" by N. Paganini with the process of circular breathing, and to finish two pieces for amusement - "Hungarian Dance n°5" by J. Brahms and the "Flight of the bumblebee" by N. Rimsky-Korsakov, where clarinet and piano play in unison. (information from the official press-release)

In our turn, let us remind you that our visitors have already had the opportunity to hear the clarinet of Vyacheslav Kazykin in composition of the Inter-quartet "Clarinetissimo!", in the album "Bachiazzola" – there music composed by him even sounds. However, this time – exclusively classics. Diverse – here you will find both deep pieces and entertaining ones. And the thing that unites them is the standards of the performers' virtuosity – and you will find it here, indeed. It is not by chance that the duet Kazykin-Zaytseva, which was formed as long ago as in 1986, has been existing until now – disregarding the fact (and probably due to the fact) that the both musicians in parallel take part in other projects as well. It seems to us that creative unions can be so long-term only provided permanent mutual growth of the participants. And the mastery of the performance represented here seems to us a great proof in favor of such thought.