Ljova's solo project, “Enter the Fadolín” introduces a new instrument into the classical cannon -- the fadolín — that combines the range of the violin, viola and most of the cello, in one unique sonority. Since 2020, Ljova has been building a repertoire for the unaccompanied fadolín, adapting music by Bach (originally written for the keyboard), Bach's Irish contemporary Turlough O’Carolan (originally performed on the folk harp), a popular theme by Dvořák originally written for the orchestra, and many pieces written especially for this unique, haunting new instrument, by Ljova himself.
LJOVA (Lev Zhurbin) was born in Moscow, Russia, and moved to New York with his parents, composer Alexander Zhurbin and writer Irena Ginzburg, in 1990. He divides his time between composing for the concert stage, contemporary dance & film, leading his own ensemble LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND, performing with and composing for TRIO FADOLÍN, as well as a busy career as a fadolínist, violist & musical arranger. Among recent projects is a film score for the National Geographic, commissions from the City of London Sinfonia, The Louisville Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkraod Ensemble, Brooklyn Rider, The Knights, Sybarite5 and A Far Cry, as well arrangements for the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, conductors Gustavo Dudamel and Alondra de la Parra, songwriters Ricky Martin, Natalia Lafourcade and Carlos Vives. A graduate of Juilliard, he has recorded for Sony, Deutsche Grammophon, Tzadik, Kapustnik, and other labels.
Live at St. Paul’s Chapel — or, watch on YouTube.
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