Baltic Inspiration

The Piano Quartet by much-admired Latvian composer Peteris Vasks is one of his longest and most imposing chamber works. Unfolding with inexorable expressive force, it utilizes dance-like motifs and folk-inflected themes throughout. The pieces by Lithuanian composer Arvydas Malcys form a cohesive sequence akin to a three-movement piano quartet in which specific sound effects, emotional power and colorful textures are in perfect alignment. The Ippolitov-Ivanov Piano Quartet (Irina Grayfer (piano), Elena Ivanova (violin), Olga Kogan (viola), Sergey Ananich (violoncello)) is nowadays considered one of the premiere young chamber ensembles of Moscow. It's members all received post-graduate education at the Moscow Conservatory under the guidance of Prof. Bonduriansky.