CCMusic.com

Yuri Zhislin's upcoming album of music by Bartok is a celebration of musical universality. This collection, featuring Zhislin performing on both violin and viola, transcends boundaries, reflecting an unwavering commitment to sharing music across cultures. Recorded at Moscow's iconic Mosfilm Studios in June 2021, the album captures a moment of artistic unity before unforeseen global events unfolded.

The repertoire includes Béla Bartók's Viola Concerto, a posthumous gem completed by Tibor Serly. This poignant work, born amid Bartók's struggles with illness and exile, explores the emotional spectrum with the solo viola's versatility, offering a profound reflection on the human spirit. Elsewhere, Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 1 showcases the composer's early fusion of folk influences and modernist innovation. The dynamic interplay between soloist and orchestra unfolds across two movements, elucidating avant-garde tendencies in Bartók's music. The album concludes with Zhislin's own arrangements of Bartók's Romanian Folk Dances, a delightful exploration of traditional tunes, echoing the composer's dedication to preserving ethnic melodies.

Hailed by The Strad as a 'virtuoso with a truly Romantic temperament,' Zhislin is a celebrated soloist and chamber musician. Graduating from the Royal College of Music in 1991 he earned immediate acclaim, including the title of BBC Radio 2 Young Musician of the Year in 1993, and has since travelled the world as performer and teacher for over three decades.