LP Classics label celebrates 21 releases

Pianists Vassily Primakov and Natalia Lavrova are very much their own acts. But they became close partners when they débuted their Arensky CD and, in the process, founded their own record label, LP Classics, Inc. Since then, they’ve performed as a duo; deepening their friendship which began much earlier, back in 1999, when the two pianists were freshmen at Juilliard. Bringing forgotten gems to the public, as they did with Vera Gornostaeva Vol.1 Chopin disc, a historical recording found and obtained through archived tapes in a Moscow archive, or their Juilliard teacher’s Jerome Lowenthal’s hidden, pianistic treasures, LP Classics’ mission is to reconcile the great past of music tradition, with representing its new talent. “It’s not an easy journey in the classical music world today, especially when it comes to the recording business,” says Primakov. And indeed, in a business where so much of its production is an art form, as much as it is a labor of love, LP Classics recovered the “feel of family,” providing the support and a chance to shine and exhibit their inescapable talent, to a trove of young musicians. Presenting and array of music – classical, modern, jazz, electronic – of this growing family of LP Classics’ artists are: Natalia Lavrova – pianist, Vassily Primakov – pianist, Ben Capps –cellist, Alexey Gorokholinsky – clarinetist and composer, David Aladashvili – pianist and Braam van Eeden – composer.

Natalia Lavrova – an independently convincing pianistic powerhouse, the Russian born pianist and gifted Juilliard class mate of Primakov, shares the stage – as well as the recording studio – with Primakov, as his partner in their Lavrova-Primakov duo. Their utmost close rapport is tangible in their virtuosic duo-performances, as it is in building the artist’s community around them, in their mutual work for LP Classics.

Vassily Primakov – the Russian/American pianist and co-founder of the recording label, has gained critical acclaim throughout the classical music world and amassed a following of musician-friends and enthusiastic audiences alike. Gramophone, among the many admiring voices of the ethereal quality of Primakov’s pianism, stated: “Primakov’s empathy with Chopin’s spirit could hardly be more complete.”

Braam van Eeden – the South African pianist/composer, whose fiery compositions and musicianship have been rewarded with trophies and honors in his native Pretoria, has collaborated with Primakov on his South African concert tour in 2013, premiering van Eeden’s Fifth Piano Sonata. His first album of a collection of his Piano Sonatas for LP Classics was released this summer.

David Aladashvili – the young, Georgian pianist and recent graduate of the Juilliard Master program has taken audiences and critics alike, by storm. His debut disc, Opus 13, recorded, released and configured around works, alluring to the “demonic” power of that special numerical emblem, establishes Aladashvili’s original talent and pianistic personality in recital, for the first time on disc.

Ben Capps – A cellist of remarkable sensitivity and musical integrity, LP Classics September release features Capps in Ossia, music of Bach, Schumann & Fitzenhagen for solo cello & company. Hailed by the Holland Times, as a “young cello phenomenon from New York,” with “dazzling technique and fearsomely meaty tone,” Capps is clearly one of the great talents to watch out for, made accessible to wider audiences, by the resourceful LP Classics label.

Alexey Gorokholinsky – at home in the world of recording, the accomplished clarinetist, (ex-fellow of Carnegie Hall’s Academy-program and Ensemble ACJW) audio engineer and producer has teamed up with LP Classics on numerous occasions, both back-stage and now, with the label’s latest December 1st release, on-stage. Gorokholinsky, who also explores combining a variety of electronic music genres, has recently joined the faculty of the Institute of Audio Research, constantly refining his skills in recording, mastering and mixing, to achieve the highest, possible audio results.

GetClassical and LP Classics – From the beginning, LP Classic’s artists have been involved in collaborations with GetClassical endeavors, promoting classical music’s inspiring talents to a growing readership of GetClassical’s blog and through its concert events. In an effort to share enthusiasm with new audiences, GetClassical strives to cultivate its artist’s network and create a home for artistic exchange with its local flock of artists and visiting, international guest-artists.