Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 2 pm
Wedding Anniversary
"Russian Party"
New York, NY
Tel: (718) 743-8264
E-mail : domandolin@yahoo.com
***
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"The Russian Carnval Ensemble — A Musical Feast from
around the World"
Connetquot Public Library
760 Ocean Ave.
Bohemia, NY 11716 (Long Island)
Tel: (718) 743-8264
E-mail : domandolin@yahoo.com
***
Thursday, April 24,2008 at 1 pm
Trinity Noonday Concert Series
Trinity Church
Broadway and Wall Street
New York, NY
Tel: (718) 743-8264
E-mail : domandolin@yahoo.com
***
Suzette, the young girl from Paris, searches for her grandfather who is a traveling musician. She goes to the Tropical Islands, Europe, and Russia. Finally, she returns to
Paris, to find her grandfather playing in the City Park as Harlequin and Columbine make hand shadows on the wall, and the sun is setting.
For many friends and fellow musicians, the name John Helton is synonymous with his thoughtful dedication to music. An accomplished violinist, composer, conductor and music teacher, John has inspired musicians and audiences of different ages and diverse backgrounds.
John Wright Helton was born January 12, 1934 in Joplin, Missouri. In 1943, Helton’s family moved to Texas, where John began studying the violin at the age of fourteen. For many years, John played violin and viola in community orchestras and small ensembles. In 1988, John Helton joined the Houston Balalaika Society (HBS) where he played domra, balalaika, and accordion, and later became an associate conductor. Several of John’s original compositions, as well as many arrangements, were performed by the HBS Orchestra over the years.
John is Conductor Emeritus of the Houston Youth Symphony and Allegro Ballet. He also taught violin, piano, and music theory. With his help as a conductor and music instructor, several of John’s students were granted national scholarships for gifted musicians. Some of John’s students play in the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Houston Opera, and Ballet Orchestras.
Ethnic Dances composed by John for Civic Symphony were performed at the Miller Theater and danced by the Houston Jazz Ballet (Patsy Swayze, director). "Travels
With Suzette" is the premiere recording of John Helton’s miniature songs and dances played by his good friends, beautiful musicians - Anatoly Trofimov and Tamara
Volskaya.
John W. Helton can be reached at john@circusmemories.com
Anatoly Trofimov is a bayan (button accordion) virtuoso, music teacher, and prolific composer. He has composed and arranged many works for domra and bayan, folk ensembles, and orchestras. His compositions were published and performed throughout Russia.
Anatoly Trofimov has won major international competition in Vienna, and has appeared as guest artist in France, Germany, Hungary, and Finland. He taught bayan and
accordion master classes at folk music conventions throughout USA and Canada. One of the greatest bayan accompanists in the world, Anatoly creates a serene yet
powerful musical atmosphere in each of his performances.
Tamara Volskaya is recognized as a master of the four-stringed domra (Russian folk instrument of the mandolin family); she also plays mandolin and balalayka. Her repertoire includes music of different epochs and styles. Whether performing a virtuoso piece or a simple song, the magic of Tamara’s playing is irresistible.
As a professor at Mussorgsky Conservatory in Ekaterinburg, Tamara Volskaya became well known domra and mandolin instructor. Several students of Tamara
Volskaya won prizes at international mandolin competitions. One of the premier domra players, Tamara contributes to the world’s growing interest in Russian folk music.
Tamara is currently an artistic director and principal player of the New York based Russian Carnival and Rondo Mandolin
Group. Both ensembles have played in major music halls in New York.
Tamara and her husband Anatoly have performed as a duo for many years. Mrs. Volskaya and Mr. Trofimov both are Merited Artists of Russia. Due to diverse and constantly changing repertoire, they successfully toured throughout Europe, Australia, North America and Asia. Recent major concerts included: Merkin Hall (New York), Glenn Gould Studio (Toronto), Spivey Hall (Atlanta). Tamara and Anatoly were featured on the National Public Radio program “All Things Considered.” Brilliant performers and profound interpreters of classical and folk music, Tamara and Anatoly recorded four CD’s and several tapes. "Travels With Suzette" opens yet another side of their remarkable talent. John Helton’s pure and delicate musical miniatures, arranged and performed by Tamara and Anatoly, acquire distinct classical brilliance.
Tamara and Anatoly can be reached at domandolin@yahoo.com
"Travels With Suzette" can be found in
Amazon.com at www
.amazon.com
All pieces are composed by John W. Helton.
Arrangements by Anatoly Trofimov and Tamara Volskaya.
Anatoly Trofimov, bayan (Russian accordion)
Tamara Volskaya, domra, mandolin, balalayka
John W. Helton, violin, tambourine, triangle, woodblocks
Daniil Guirchovitch, tambourine, triangle
"Anatoly's impeccable introductions, interludes, and solos perfectly complement the grace and fire of the featured artist." The Mandolin Journal (USA)
Produced by: Daniil Guirchovitch, daniil@circusmemories.com
Co-producer: Oksana Parfilko, parfilko@yahoo.com
Recording and editing by: Tatyana Liberman, LRP Studios, New York
Design by: Maya S. Bendgi, Digi-Rom, New York
Graphics: Vadim Parfilko
Original Artwork: Vladimir Kotlyarov
Photography: Oksana Parfilko
