Yevgeny Kutik - Music from the Suitcase: A Collection of Russian Miniatures (2014)

When Yevgeny Kutik s family emigrated from the former Soviet Union in 1990 they had to leave behind most of their possessions. They arrived in the United States with just two suitcases. At his mother s insistence, one of the suitcases was filled with sheet music from the family s collection. At the time, it made little sense to the rest of the family to drag this tattered music halfway across the globe, leaving less room for the clothes and possessions that were more essential for the transition into life in a new country. But his mother was firm in her resolve that this music was just as essential as a part of the family s musical history.

As a young man Yevgeny became curious enough to explore the contents of the pages. He was fascinated with what he found; some were fairly well-known compositions while many others were works he had never seen or heard. What struck him in particular were the Russian works inspired by literature, ballet, and theater. The works were miniature in scale and each told a compelling story suffused with the character of Russian folklore, fantasy, and poetry. The pieces on this album carry with them a simplicity and directness, and with this immediacy, a striking beauty.

Yevgeny Kutik has captivated audiences worldwide with an old-world sound that communicates a modern intellect. Praised for his technical precision and virtuosity, he is also lauded for his poetic and imaginative interpretations of both standard works and rarely-heard repertoire. The New York Times has commented on his old-fashioned rhapsodic style...magnified by [his] rich, sweet tone.

A native of Minsk, Belarus, Mr. Kutik immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of five. Shortly thereafter he began violin studies with his mother, Alla Zernitskaya. He holds a bachelor s degree from Boston University and a master s degree from the New England Conservatory and currently resides in Boston. Mr. Kutik s violin was crafted in Italy in 1915 by Stefano Scarampella.

Since being named a Beethoven Fellow of the American Pianist Association, Timothy Bozarth has performed around the globe as soloist and collaborative pianist, being heard in many of the world s greatest concert halls. Performances by Timothy Bozarth have been praised by Ongaku No Tomo ( supple and warm, reflecting a noble atmosphere... ), the Washington Post ( stunning... brilliant... ), the Boston Globe ( lurid color and visceral energy... ), and the Boston Herald ( boldness and daring, precision and passion... a blaze of glory, a triumphant performance... ).