Latvian Pianist Šimkus’ New Album Released

Latvian pianist Vestards Šimkus (known internationally as Vestard Shimkus) has released his latest album, a collection entitled Rachmaninoff, collecting solo piano works of the Russian composer. The album, released by the French record label Artalinna, was recorded at the Historischer Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz.

Among Šimkus’ many accomplishments are first prize at the Maria Canals Competition in Barcelona (2009) as well as a 1st-prize-winner winner of Bad Kissingen KlavierOlympiade (2007). He has received the Estonian “White Star” order and the Golden Order of Poland for his contribution to the concert series in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Chopin.

Šimkus celebrated the release of this CD with performances in the Riga Great Guild on October 15, the Vidzeme Concert Hall in Cēsis on October 17, and the Gors concert halle in Rēzekne on October 19.

The CD booklet also features liner notes by Pierre-Yves Lascar in English, French, German and Spanish.

For more information, please visit the pianist’s website or the Artalinna website (in French).

Track listing:

  1. In the Silence of the Mysterious Night
  2. Prelude in G major, Op. 32 No. 5
  3. Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22
  4. Prelude in B minor, Op. 32 No. 10
  5. Prelude in G sharp minor, Op. 32 No. 12
  6. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 36

 

Egils Kaljo is an American-born Latvian from the New York area . Kaljo began listening to Latvian music as soon as he was able to put a record on a record player, and still has old Bellacord 78 rpm records lying around somewhere.

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