Andrei Pushkarev
*7 March 1974
Works by Andrei Pushkarev
Biography
Andrei Pushkarev was born in 1974 in Kiev in the family of musicians.
1979 – began his musical education as a pianist
1982 – wrote his first composition “March” for his father’s children’s ensemble “Rainbow”
1988 – started studying percussion instruments
1992 – became a student of National Musical Academy of Ukraine, prof. Alexander Blinov
1995 – 1999 performs as solo vibraphonist with many chamber ensembles in Ukraine, playing his own works and arrangements
1999 – joined Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra (artistic leader Gidon Kremer), still maintains solo-vibraphone and principal percussion positions. He had participated in concerts around the world. He as well had participated in numerous recordings as a member of the ensemble on labels such as Nonesuch, Deutsche Grammophon.ECM etc. As a soloist he can be heard on the CD release “After Mozart” where Andrei performs his own cadenza. This CD in 2001 received a Grammy Award in the U.S. and as well the Echo Award in Germany in 2002
Since this time he has been working on various arrangements for symphonic and string orchestra; has been touring with Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica, performing in numerous concert halls all around the world. His works and arrangements were performed in the Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre in New York, Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall in London, in the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, etc. by such musicians like Gidon Kremer, Yo Yo Ma, Martha Argerich, Sol Gabetta, Daniil Trifonov, Vadim Repin, Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky, Julius Berger, Michel Portal, Mario Brunello, Gabor Boldoszki, Didier Lockwood and many others
2004 – recorded his own-composed cycle “Bach Vibrations” – improvisations on 15 two-part inventions by J. S. Bach for vibraphone solo. This CD, released by Austrian label “Gramola”, was mentioned by the Deutsche Schallplattenkritik Bestenliste as one of the discoveries of the year
2005 – did a world duo-tour with Gidon Kremer performing his own compositions and arrangements
– arranged Violin Sonata Op.134 by Dmitri Shostakovich for violin, strings and percussion in collaboration with Michail Zinman
2006 – as a part of Gidon Kremer’s trio project “From Bach to Piazzolla” toured together with a Lithuanian pianist Andrius Zlabys in Europe, South America, USA and Canada performing his own compositions and arrangements
2010 – arranged the “Antiformalistic Rayok” by Dmitri Shostakovich for voice, strings and percussion
– together with Gidon Kremer and Argentinean bandoneonist Dino Saluzzi recorded “Themes from the Songbook” – music from cinema and theater by Georgian composer Giya Kancheli with arrangements by Dino Saluzzi and Andrei Pushkarev. The CD was released by ECM Records
2013 – became endorser and the official performer of “Majestic Percussion” (Netherlands) and “Innovative Percussion” (USA)
2014 – arranged Piano Quintet Op.18 by Mieczyslaw Weinberg for piano, strings and percussion in collaboration with Gidon Kremer
2016 – arranged the one-hour chamber cycle “Ave Maria” commissioned by Sion Music Festival (Switzerland)
2017 – wrote the ballet “Don Juan” in two acts, arranging music by W. A. Mozart and Frederic Chopin for Latvian National Opera and Ballet; in collaboration with dramaturge Valentina Turcu and choreographer Julio Arozarena
2018 – arranged “Variations on “La ci darem la mano” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Op. 2 by Frederic Chopin for piano, strings and percussion. World premiere took place in Carnegie Hall (New York) with Daniil Trifonov and Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra
2019 – arranged Violin Sonata Nr.1 in F minor Op. 80 by Sergei Prokofiev for violin, strings and percussion commissioned by violinist Sebastian Bohren
2020 – arranged Piano Concerto Nr.2 in F major Op. 102 by Dmitri Shostakovich for piano, strings and percussion commissioned by violoncellist and conductor David Geringas
– wrote the ballet “The Lady of the Camellias” in one act, arranging music by Franz Schubert for National Theatre Brno in collaboration with dramaturge Valentina Turcu
– arranged the works by J. S. Bach, Alessandro Marcello, Dmitri Shostakovich and Astor Piazzolla for the trio-project “Bach Frequencies 60-90” with Julius Berger (violoncello) and Pavel Beliaev (percussion)
– founded the GRAD Percussion Duo with Pavel Beliaev
2021 – arranged “33 Miniatures from music for film and theatre” by Giya Kancheli for vibraphone solo
2022 – recorded “33 Miniatures from music for film and theatre” by Giya Kancheli in the Wagner Hall, Riga
– created the trio-project "Light and passion" with Tatjana Rediko (violoncello) and Pavel Beliaev (percussion)
2023 – arranged the Piano Quintet Op.14 by César Franck for piano, strings and percussion. World premiere took place in Riga (Latvia) with Lucas Debargue and Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra
About the music
In my compositions and arrangements, you can expect to find the meticulous attention to detail found in classical music, with intricate melodies, harmonies, and counterpoint. I am deeply influenced by the great composers of the past, and I strive to uphold the timeless principles of composition while infusing them with a modern twist.
However, I also embrace the expressive freedom and improvisational nature of jazz. I incorporate elements such as syncopated rhythms, extended chord progressions, and melodic improvisation into my works, allowing for a sense of spontaneity and exploration. This fusion of styles creates a distinctive sound that evokes both the intellectual depth and emotional richness.
In essence, my compositions reflect my passion for pushing the boundaries of traditional genres and creating a musical language that is uniquely my own. I strive to capture the essence of both classical music and jazz, creating a musical experience that is captivating and innovative.
