Zemtsov Quartet PAPINI BOWEN VON WEINZIERL WERKMAN MALCYS ZEMTSOV PIAZZOLLA GUIDO PAPINI (1846-1912) (1884-1961) Quartet for four Fantasy Quartet op. 41 for four violas 1 Moderato assai, 2 Allegro moderato, 3 Andante sostenuto, 4 Allegretto con spirito York Bowen was recognised as a prodigious talent at an early age and achieved consider- Born in Camagiore, Guido Papini was an able success as both a composer and con - Italian violinist and composer who studied cert pianist in his early career. Camille under a teacher named Giorgetti in Florence Saint-Saëns was so impressed at the 1903 and made his debut there in 1860, per form- premiere of Bowen’s Piano Concerto No. 1 ing Spohr’s third violin concerto. He was in E-flat major, Op. 11 that he named him subsequently leader of the City of Florence ‘the finest of English composers’, an Quartet Society. In 1874 he made his opinion shared by many of Bowen’s London debut at the Musical Union where contemporaries. York Bowen preferred he was to appear frequently, also performing the tone quality of the viola to that of the at concerts for the Philharmonic Society violin, and he composed several works and at Crystal Palace. In 1876 he took part for the instrument. He played a part in in the Pasdeloup concerts at Paris, and assisting the great viola player also at those of the Bordeaux Philharmonic. in increasing the popularity of the viola as His compositions include a concerto for a solo instrument and frequently performed the violin and one for the cello, as well as as Tertis’s accompanist. Tertis premiered romances, nocturnes and Feuilles d’album. Bowen’s Viola Concerto in C minor, Op. 25 His works for violin solo include Exercises in 1908. Bowen added considerably to the du mecanisme and a Violin School, as well viola repertoire, his compositions including as several arrangements and transcriptions. a fantasy and two sonatas for viola and He also edited a number of classical works, piano, as well as the Fantasy Quartet for and is known as one of the earliest editors four violas recorded on this CD. Bowen of Paganini’s 24 caprices. In 1893 he became was one of the first English composers head of the violin department of the Royal to add original works to the modern viola Academy of Music in Dublin, but gave up repertoire, alongside his contemporaries the position in 1896 and returned to London and Benjamin Dale. where he lived as a teacher and prolific composer. 2 MAX VON WEINZIERL and read musicology at the Université de (1841-1898) Genève where he graduated with ‘Music Nocturne (Nachtstück) op. 34 for four violas in Commercial Advertising’. He further developed with studies in composition Originally from Bohemia, Max von Weinzierl with the late Tristan Keuris at the Utrecht spent most of his life in Vienna where he Conservatory in the Netherlands. His music studied cello and composition at the Con- has been written for and performed by many ser vatory of the Gesellschaft der Musik- outstanding musicians in the Netherlands freunde. He worked mainly as a theatre as well as the USA, Russia, Italy, France, director and choral conductor, and his com- England, Switzerland and Germany. He positions are largely of vocal works. He took the initiative in 1992 to write three also spent some time in Salzburg, and his ‘Intermezzi’ which were performed in the Nachtstück is dedicated to his friend Dr. presence of H.M. Queen Beatrix of the Wenzel Sedlitzky who served as President Netherlands during the opening ceremony of the Mozarteum during the late 1880s. of parliament. His compositions are fre- Weinzierl’s publisher insisted that he create quently broadcast on Dutch radio and many a more commercial instrumentation of the of his works have been recorded on CD. Nachtstück for conventional string quartet, Quatre Movements was written for the but the setting for four violas is the original Zemtsov Viola Quartet. The composer says version. about the piece that, ‘a viola quartet offers a unique combination of range, compass and variety of tone suited to ensemble as well as ARNE WERKMAN (b. 1960) solo playing. In these four short pieces both Quatre mouvements pour quatre altos op. 59 aspects alternate between a more rhythmic (written for the Zemtsov Viola Quartet) approach, such as the ‘alla marcia’ in the 1 Sempre moderato, 2 Alla Marcia, second movement and ‘mosso, ma sempre 3 Quasi largo, 4 Mosso, ma sempre giusto giusto’ in the last movement. In both parts the ensemble alternates with or accompa- Arne Werkman was born in The Hague, nies solo material performed by one or two Netherlands, and grew up in Geneva, instruments. In the first movement, ‘sempre Switzerland. He had his musical training moderato’, the quartet is treated as a whole at the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève with distinctive motives of semiquavers 3 strolling through the four instruments. In DANIIL ZEMTSOV (b. 1996) the second movement, ‘quasi largo’ the ‘The circle of diminished fifths’ for four violas quartet is singing as if it were one voice, in a measured pensive tranquillity.’ Daniil was born on 28th August 1996 in Moscow into a musical family. His musical education began officially at the age of six ARVYDAS MALCYS (b.1957) when his mother began to teach him piano. Elegy for four violas He started to have lessons on the viola at (written for the Zemtsov Viola Quartet) the age of ten. He joined the Whitgift School in London in 2007, participating in orches- Arvydas Malcys (b.1957) graduated twice tras and chamber ensembles. Daniil later from the Lithuanian Academy of Music, attended the junior department of the Royal obtaining diplomas both in cello playing Academy of Music where he continued his and composition. Works by Arvydas Malcys education on viola and piano. ‘The circle have been showcased in Norway, Sweden, of Diminished Fifths’ is the name given to Belgium, Switzerland, Latvia, Russia, a piece that Daniil composed in 2012 as Germany, Italy, Finland, France, USA coursework for his GCSE in Music at the and elsewhere. Malcys is well acquainted Whitgift School. Since 2014 Daniil has been with the special characteristics of instru- studying viola and composition at the Royal ments and especially strings, and as a Conservatoire in The Hague. result he is able to work with the widest The Circle of Diminished Fifths’ (2012) is a range of expressive possibilities of indi- short piece written for the Zemtsov Viola vidual instruments and their combinations, Quartet. The structure is through-composed shaping them to serve as strongly-flavoured and consists of two contrasting sections. It personalities, and indeed almost ‘theatrical’ is evident that the main inspiration comes characters. Alexander Zemtsov has per- from the first two movements of the String formed Arvydas Malcys’s Viola Concerto Quartet No. 8 in C minor by Dmitri Shosta- and has recorded his ‘Narcyss’ for Viola kovich, particularly in the second section. Solo. Elegie for four violas was specially The title is conveyed within the first few written for the Zemtsov Viola Quartet. bars of the piece, where it is shown that ‘the circle of diminished fifths’ is in fact not a very big circle, spanning only an octave in 4 terms of pitch. Melodic material is based tango into a new style termed ‘tango nuevo’, upon an exploitation of motivic ideas. The incorporating elements from jazz and two sections are deliberately very different classical music. A virtuoso bandoneonist, not only in terms of tempo but also in the he regularly performed his own compo- ideas involved. The vigorous second section sitions with a variety of ensembles. The is shared between Shostakovich’s rhythmic composer Evgeni Zemtsov (father of Mikhail motif presented at the start and an original and Alexander) arranged three of Piazzolla’s six-note idea which appears later. This motif most famous pieces for the Zemtsov Viola is in fact a respelling of ‘Daniil’ (notated as Quartet. Evgeni Zemtsov graduated with D-A-G-B-B-E) based upon a system in which distinction from the Moscow Tchaikovsky the white part of the keyboard represents Conservatory, where he studied with D. the English alphabet. Although the nomen- Kabalewski and A. Pirumov. He was named clature for notes stops at letter G, the alpha- Composer Emeritus of Russia and he be- bet continues nevertheless. This means that came a member of the Union of Composers many letters will sound the same (for exam- of the Soviet Union. He worked as compo- ple, letters H, O and V sound the same as sition teacher at the Gnesin Institute in the note A). Although Shostakovich used a Moscow. Evgeni Zemtsov currently lives slightly different system, his ‘DSCH’ motif is in Hamburg, Germany and he is a member can be heard in many of his works. of the Deutsche Componisten Verband and GEMA. Many of his compositions have been published in the former Soviet ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Union and later in Belgium (New Conso- Verano Porteño nant Music) and Germany (Gitarmonia), Milonga del Angel and these include two symphonies, an Muerte del Angel oratorio, an opera, two sonatas for violin (arranged for the Zemtsov Viola Quartet and piano, string quartet, choral, vocal by Evgeni Zemtsov, b. 1940) and chamber music, as well as numerous arrangements for instrumental and vocal Astor Piazzolla was the most famous ensembles. Argentine tango composer, bandoneon His works are frequently performed and player and arranger of the 20th century. broadcast in Germany, the Netherlands, His oeuvre revolutionised the traditional Russia, Bulgaria, Italy and Mexico. 5 ZEMTSOV VIOLA QUARTET

Mikhail Zemtsov first took violin lessons International Viola Competion (Vienna) and from his mother Loudmila Levinson at the the Elisa Meyer String Competion (Ham- age of five, later studying viola and com po- burg). Zemtsov’s solo appearances include sition at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conser- performances with the Moscow Conser va- vatory. He gained Soloist Diplomas with tory Chamber Orchestra, Lima Philhar mo- Dis tinction from ABRSM (GB, B. Diner- nic, New World Chamber Orchestra, Natio- stein), the Hochschuele fuer Musik in nal Symphony of Mexico, Luxembourg Ham burg (Germany, M. Nichetianu) and Philharmonic (R. Strauss ‘Don Quixote’ with the Maastricht Conservatory (Netherlands, Misha Maisky as cello soloist), Wiener M. Kugel). Volks oper, Hamburger Symphoniker, Sta- Mikhail took conducting lessons and vanger Symphon (Norway) and The Hague master classes with Lev Markiz, Juozas Philharmonic (Netherlands) with conduc- Domarkas, Neeme and Paavo Jarvi, Gianan- tors including Neeme Jarvi, Jaap van drea Noseda and Daniel Raiskin. Zweden and Dmitri Kitajenko. Mikhail also He has participated in numerous Inter- plays as a duo partner with guitarist Enno national Festivals in Europe, the Far East Voorhorst (Duo Macondo). and the Americas as chamber music partner to musicians including Bella Davidovitch, He founded the Zemtsov Viola Quartet Boris Berezovsky, Dmitri Sitkovetski, Sarah together with his wife Julia, his brother Chang, Janine Jansen and Julian Rachlin. Alexander and daughter Dana. Mikhail He has recorded six chamber music CDs Zemtsov was principal violist with The for Sony Masterworks, Tower Records and Hague Philharmonic Orchestra (Residentie Deutche Welle. His Solo CD ‘The Last Rose Orkest) a position he has held from 2001 to of Summer’ was placed as number 2 among 2014. Mikhail Zemtsov is viola teacher at the Top 50 of the TROS - Dutch Broadcast/ the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and TV Channel and it was given 9 points (ex- at the Utrecht Conservatory. He is chief cellent) in the biggest Dutch record-review conductor of the Utrecht Conservatory magazine ‘LUISTER’. Strings and the Concerto Grosso Youth Mikhail has been a prizewinner at the first Orchestra in Rotterdam.

6 MIKHAIL ZEMTSOV ALEXANDER ZEMTSOV Praised for his intense, innovative inter- 15 Alexander has performed extensively as pretations Alexander Zemtsov is one of the viola soloist with numerous renowned most versatile and sought after musicians orchestras in Europe, USA, Asia and on the music stage today. He has esta- Australia. He regularly performs as a soloist blished recognition as a soloist, conductor, with conductors such as Alexander Veder- professor and chamber musician. nikov, Vladimir Jurowski and Neeme Jarvi. Alexander Zemtsov is a professor at some Alexander´s mastery and artistry have been of the finest Music Universities in Europe: recognised internationally and have brought Viola Professor at The Guildhall School of him numerous prizes and awards, including Music and Drama in London, Univ.- the International Competition ‘Classical Professor the Vienna Konservatorium Privat Legacy’ in Moscow (first prize 1995), at the Universitat and guest professor at the Elise Meyer competition in Hamburg (first Haute Ecole de Musique de Laussane in prize 1997),at the 8th Brahms competition Switzerland. in Poertschach, Austria (first prize 2001) Among his students are members of leading and many more. world orchestras as well as winners of Aged 23 Alexander was appointed Principal numerous international competition prizes Viola of the London Philharmonic Orches- and awards. These include: New Zealand tra. In 2011 after 9 years of collaboration Symphony (Principal), Opera Flensburg with LPO Alexander left the position to (Principal), Malta Philharmonic (Co-Princi- dedicate himself entirely to his demanding pal), Philharmonia Orchestra London, Royal career as a soloist and chamber musician. Scottish National and BBC Symphony As a devoted chamber musician he has Orchestra London. performed in prestigious venues with Alexander was born in 1978 into a family partners such as Dmitri Sitkovetsky, Ger- of musicians. He attended the famous hard Schulz, Peter Donohoe and Patrick Gnessin Music Lyceum in Moscow for gifted Gallois. In 2010- 2012 Alexander recorded children, where he studied under Prof. E. string trios by Mozart and Faure Piano Ozol. He continued his education with Prof. Quartets with The Hermitage String Trio and Michael Kugel at the Hoogeschool Maas- Kathryn Stott on Chandos. tricht and as a post-graduate at the Hoch- As well as the complete Brahms and Mahler schule ‘Hanns Eisler’ Berlin in the class of Piano quartets with Anton Barakhovsky, Prof. Tabea Zimmermann. Since the age of Wolfgang Emmanuel Schmidt and Eldar 9 Nebolsin on Naxos to be released in 2014. tricht Conservatory and the Rotterdam Alexander regularly records for the Naxos, Hellendaal Music Institute (Rotterdam LPO Live and Chandos labels, to acclaim Conservatory). She gives summer master- which has included ‘…impassioned and classes in Slovakia, France, Spain, USA, technically immaculate playing…’ (Classical- China and Italy. Several of Julia’s pupils have source), ‘...played with furious dexterity...’ become winners of National and Inter- (Guardian), ‘…in the same league as national Viola Competitions. She has Bashmet… amazing emotional depth…’ worked as a guest principal violist at the (Britten CD Review) Limburg Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphonia, Flemish Philharmonic, Brussels Julia Dinerstein studied violin at the Philharmonic and De Munt Orchestra Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory with (Belgium) among others. Julia is the 2nd Elizabetha Gilels and Andrei Korsakov. She Prize winner of the Beethoven Int. Viola graduated at the Associated Board of Royal Competition (Austria). Schools of Music as a student of her father Boris Dinerstein (Mexico - England). Winner of numerous competitions and She later studied viola at the Maastricht developing an outstanding career, Dana Conservatory with Michael Kugel (Soloist Zemtsov is one of the most promising Master Degree with Distinction). As a international viola soloists of her gene- soloist and chamber music performer she ration. Highlights in the 2012-13 season has participated in International Festivals in include Dana’s performance of the Bartók Europa, America and the Far East where she Viola Concerto in the Great Hall of the has played chamber music with Dmitri Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, chamber Sitkovetski, Daniel Rowland, Priya Mitchell, music with Janine Jansen and Martin Frost Niek de Groot, Michael Kugel, Dan Zhu and during the Utrecht Chamber Music Festival Manja Smits. Since 2002 Julia has lived in and a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York. The Hague, performing numerous recitals Furthermore, she signed an exclusive and chamber music concerts, amongst agreement with Channel Classics Records others as a member of The Hague String for three recordings to be released in 2014, Trio. 2015 and 2016. Julia currently works as viola teacher at the Dana is 1st price candidate/laureate of a ARTEZ Conservatory in Arnhem, the Maas- dozen international competitions. In 2010 10 JULIA DINERSTEIN DANA ZEMTSOV Dana won the Dutch Television competition Dana toured Denmark and Peru with Lestari ‘Evening of the Young Musician’ becoming Scholtes (piano), and in 2008 did a major the ‘Young Musician of the Year’ and repre- tour in the Netherlands with Princess senting the Netherlands at the Eurovision Christina Competition laureates and four Young Musicians Competition in Vienna. outstanding Japanese musicians. In 2010 Dana regularly appears at the most Dana participated in the Stars of Tomorrow important venues including the St. Peters- tour in Germany, together with the most burg Philharmonic Hall, Carnegie Hall in promising young talents of Europe. New York, the Great and Small halls of the She performed on festivals in Esslingen, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Doelen Sangerhausen and Passau (Germany), in Rotterdam, Dr. Anton Philips Hall in the Cividale del Friuli (Italy), at the Delft The Hague. During the Christmas Concert Chamber Music Festival, the Grachten in the Philharmonie in Haarlem she per- Festival, the Chamber Music Festival formed the Scene de Ballet by Chr. De Beriot between Maas and Waal, the International with world famous pianist Boris Berezovsky. Janine Jansen Chamber Music Festival She has been chamber music partner to Utrecht and during the Three Day Music musicians including Janine Jansen, Martin Festival The Hague. Dana represented Frost, Liza Ferschtman and Jean-Claude van Grachtenfestival Amsterdam in St. Peters- den Eynden. She performs about 60 solo burg, Russia, playing a recital at the and chamber concerts every year. As a Philharmonic Hall. soloist, Dana performed with the Ukrainian Dana Zemtsov was born in 1992 in Mexico Natio nal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia City. She comes from a family of musicians. Rotterdam, Holland Sinfonia, Viotta Youth At the age of five she received her first Orchestra, the Rotterdam Youth Philhar- music lessons from her grandmother and monic Orchestra, F. Busoni Chamber from her parents, viola players Mikhail Orchestra (Italy), Maastricht Conservatory Zemtsov and Julia Dinerstein. Since 2012 Orchestra, Amsterdam University and the she has studied with the famous viola Sweelink Symphony Orchestra. virtuoso Michael Kugel.

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Recording Producer and editing Daan van Aalst Recording venue and dates 26-28 october 2013 Muziekcentrum van de Omroep, Hilversum Artwork Ad van der Kouwe, Manifesta Photography Marije van den Berg (ArtoTake) Cover painting Liora Zemtsov Booklet text editor Dominy Clements

Special thanks to Jorien Quirijnen

www.zemtsov.info

More information about Navis Classics, our high resolution downloads and future releases can be found on www.navisclassics.com

15 GUIDO PAPINI (1846-1912) Quartet for four Violas

1 Moderato assai 0.59 2 Allegro moderato 2.15 3 Andante sostenuto 1.40 4 Allegretto con spirito 1.36 YORK BOWEN (1884-1961) 5 Fantasy Quartet op. 41 for four violas 10.28 MAX VON WEINZIERL (1841-1898) 6 Nocturne (Nachtstück) op. 34 for four violas 8.01

ARNE WERKMAN (b. 1960) Quatre mouvements pour quatre altos op. 59

7 Sempre moderato 2.44 8 Alla marcia 2.33 9 Quasi Largo 2.34 10 Mosso, ma sempre giusto 2.51

ARVYDAS MALCYS (b.1957) 11 Elegy for four violas 5.11

DANIIL ZEMTSOV (b. 1996) 12 ‘The circle of diminished fifths’ for four violas 3.30 ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) arr. Evgeni Zemtsov 13 Verano porteño 4.29 14 Milonga del Angel 4.41 15 Muerte del Angel 2.58

Total time 57.19