Shalamov piano duo

Alina Shalamova and Nikolay Shalamov

Biography

“…the play of this couple is just phenomenal.”
(Juan Krakenberger, Mundo Clásico)

The piano duo Shalamov, founded in 2009, is an amazing ensemble: two individual pianists, musicians and artists who perform in extraordinary symbiosis – two personalities, each with their own ideas and sensibilities, who find unity in making music. The first prize and the audience award at the ARD Competition 2015 are perhaps the most impressive evidence of this collaboration. The most recent award, along with numerous other prizes, is the first prize at the International Competition “Verfemte Musik” 2016 in Schwerin.

In addition to their musical quality, the concerts of the Shalamov piano duo are always characterised by special dramaturgies. For example, on New Year’s Eve 2020, Alina and Nikolay Shalamov were invited by the Gewandhaus Leipzig to perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the version for two pianos by Franz Liszt – augmented by timpani – together with solo timpanist Tom Greenleaves, representing the Gewandhaus Orchestra. In January 2021, both presented a video production of Sophia Gubaidulina’s “Variations on a Theme S-H-E-A” for two pianos (one of them with a different skordatura) from the Chamber Music Hall of the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg.

The latest step on Alina and Nikolay Shalamov’s career ladder is the founding and artistic direction of the Berlin Piano Duo Festival. This was launched in March 2023 with concerts, premieres of two commissioned compositions, workshops, master classes and children’s concerts under generous support from the “Neustart Kultur” programme. Concert venues included iconic places of Berlin’s musical life, such as the Elisabethkirche and the Villa Elisabeth, the Mendelssohn Remise and the Chamber Music Hall of the Philharmonie.

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Facebook and Instagram will take you through glimpses of selected projects and the work of Alina und Nikolay Shalamov.

General Management

News & Reviews

“… there are many excellent piano duos, but the Shalamovs’ playing is always surrounded by a special aura that one so rarely experiences…”

Manuela Wenda in the Wiesbadener Tagblatt on July 23, 2021

… a remarkable aura emanates from their interpretations… In this way the Shalamovs illustrated just how much the piano is an instrument of the imagination… Again and again the Shalamovs combined temperament and depth…”

Manuela Wenda in the Wiesbadener Tagblatt on August 10, 2019

“… Maurice Ravel’s ‘Rhapsodie espangole’ provided the final impressionistic closure to this outstanding concert. An evening filled with the highest pianistic artistry ended with two encores, shouts of bravos and standing ovations.”

Ulrich Coppel in the Westfälische Nachrichten on March 20, 2018

“Rostock. Contrary to popular belief, in artistic expression, emotional release alone does not ensure a lasting effect. It also takes intellectual reasoning, strict discipline, and a coolness for maintaining composure of mind. This could be witnessed yet again in the concert series “International Pianist Forum” at the Rostock University of Music and Theatre, where the Bulgarian-Russian couple Alina Shalamova and Nikolay Shalamov performed as a four-hand piano duo – awarded the coveted first prize in the ARD competition last year…”.

Heinz-Jürgen Staszak in the Ostsee-Zeitung on May 12, 2016

“If it’s true that good musicians always pour a little heart into their interpretations, then the concert of the piano duo Alina and Nikolay Shalamov could be dubbed “Doppelherz Epiphanies”, as their performance in the Fürstensaal in Fulda delivered an experience in the subtlest of sounds.”

Nikolaus Frey in the Fuldaer Zeitung on April 26, 2016

“…The highlight of the evening as regards to artistic expression and virtuosic technique was the piano duo and married couple Alina Shalamova and Nikolay Shalamov. Starting with four-handed Schubert and two of the “Six Grande Marches” – the Allegretto is an elegant Viennese scherzo; the trio takes on a Biedermeier-like, reserved tone. The Allegretto con Brio is bursting with youthful panache. Maurice Ravel wrote “Introduction and Allegro” for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet in 1905. He himself wrote a version for two pianos. This wonderful work of breathtaking timbral depth combines Ravel’s lucid classicism with a melodious, warm sound. The “Introduction” features a delicate theme with the harp arpeggios of the original composition. The work demands technical mastery from the performers. And the two of them were able to deliver this feat with superb interpretative artistry…”

Günter Vogel in the Schwäbische Zeitung, Biberach on February 23, 2016

“… And heart and soul were put into the performance. A spellbound silence fell over the audience, followed by resounding applause… The young couple added a certain natural candidness to their ability and perfection, which won over the …guests’ hearts.”

Gise Kayser-Gantner in the Schwäbische Post on April 11, 2016

Schedule

Selection of concerts – season 2022/23

19. März 2023 – Berlin Piano Duo Festival – Final concert with the world premiere of Ferran Cruixent’s “Digital Shadows” for two Pianos and Makrokosmos III, “Music for a summer evening” für two amplified pianos and percussion of George Crumb – together Simon Klavazar und Jan Westermann

21. August 2022 – Festival “Sommerklänge – Klassik im Park” in Frankfurt an der Oder – Recital für zwei Klaviere

Selection of past concerts

Here you will find a selection of concerts that had not to be cancelled due to the Corona pandemic.

06. und 07. Februar 2022 – Oldenburgisches Staatsorchester – Carl Czerny, Konzert für Klavier zu vier Händen und Orchester C-Dur, op. 153 – Oldenburgisches Staatstheater u.d.L.v. Bruno Weil

21. Juli 2021 – Kurhaus Wiesbaden – Recital vierhändig – Highlights von Schubert

11. Februar 2021 – Bamberger Symphoniker – Videoproduktion von Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Karneval der Tiere”

13. Dezember 2020 – Gewandhaus Leipzig – Videoproduktion von Beethovens 9. Sinfonie in der Fassung für zwei Klaviere von Franz Liszt – zusammen mit dem Solopauker des Gewandhausorchesters Leipzig, Tom Greenleaves

07. Dezember 2020 – Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, kleiner Saal – Videoproduktion von “Variationen über S-H-E-A” von Sophia Gubaidulina – veröffentlicht im Mai 2021

19. Juni 2020 – C. Bechstein Klavierabend im Konzerthaus Berlin, Rezital für zwei Klaviere mit Werken von Brahms, Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, Kurtág und Ravel

9. Februar 2020 – Ebersberger Klavierzyklus im “Alten Kino”, Rezital für zwei Klaviere mit Werken von Kurtág, Bach, Schubert, Dussek, Ligeti und Ravel

4. Oktober 2019 – Piano Extravaganza Sofia, Rezital mit Werken von Sergei Rachmaninoff und Franz Schubert

27. Oktober 2019 – Oraniensteiner Schlosskonzerte, “Lebensstürme” – Rezital für zwei Klaviere mit Werken von Messiaën, Kurtág, Bach, Zimmermann, Schubert und Rachmaninoff

9. Februar 2020 – Ebersberger Klavierzyklus im “Alten Kino”, Rezital für zwei Klaviere mit Werken von Kurtág, Bach, Schubert, Dussek, Ligeti und Ravel

19. Juni 2020 – C. Bechstein Klavierabend im Konzerthaus Berlin, Rezital für zwei Klaviere mit Werken von Brahms, Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, Kurtág und Ravel

7. August 2019 – Burghofspiele, Sonatenabend im Christian-Zaus-Saal des Wiesbadener Kurhauses, Rezital vierhändig

17. Juni 2019 – Konzerthaus Berlin, Reihe “Zweimal hören”, Gesprächskonzert mit “Linda” von Berio, zusammen mit Michael Oberaigner und Sabrina Ma – Schlagzeug sowie Christian Jost – Moderation

4. März 2019 – Tonhalle MAAG, Zürich, Reihe “Série jenes”, Rezital mit Werken von Bach, Debussy, Messiaen, Kurtag und Zimmermann

10. Februar 2019 – Gesellschaftshaus der BASF in Ludwigshafen, Reihe “Junge Pianisten”, Rezital mit Werken von Bach Debussy, Messiaen und Kurtag plus einer Uraufführung für zwei Klaviere von Gordon Kampe

18. Oktober 2018 – Werne, Altes Rathaus, Rezital vierhändig mit Fantasien von Mozart, Schubert, Czerny, Debussy und Ravel

16. Oktober 2018 – Heilbronn, Konzert- und Kongresszentrum Harmonie, Rezital mit Fantasien von Mozart, Schubert, Bruch, Skrjabin, Czerny und Rachmaninov

21. September 2018 – Sanitz, Stunde der Musik, Rezital vierhändig mit Fantasien von Mozart, Schubert, Czerny, Debussy und Ravel

25. Juli 2018 – Burghofspiele, Sonatenabend im Christian-Zais-Saal des Wiesbadener Kurhauses, Rezital vierhändig

6. Juni 2018 – “Espressokonzerte” im Konzerthaus Berlin, Rezital für zwei Klaviere

29. Mai 2018 – “Talente entdecken”, Hannover, Rezital

14. April 2018 – Familienkonzert beim Rheingau Musikfestival, Karneval der Tiere mit dem Georgischen Kammerorchester im Kultur und Kongress, Ingelheim

19. März 2018 – Erbdrostenhofkonzert Münster, Rezital mit Stücken zu zwei und vier Händen an einem original Erard-Flügel

28. Februar 2018 – Abschlusskonzert des Orchesterworkshops mit der Norddeutschen Philharmonie Rostock, Konzert für zwei Klaviere und Orchester von Francis Poulenc

03. November 2017 – Wangen, Altstadtkonzerte Wangen, Reiztal

20. Juli 2017 – München, Kammermusik Festival Nymphenburger Sommer, Rezital

29. Juni 2017 – SWR Studio Kaiserslautern, Emmerich-Smola-Saal, Konzert mit der Deutschen Radio Philharmonie mit dem Konzert für Klavier zu vier Händen und Orchester von Carl Czerny

2. Juni 2017 – Historisches Witwenpalais Ottweiler, Rezital

25. Mai 2017 – Bad Herrenalb, Kurhaus, Internationales Klavierduo-Festival, Rezital mit Werken von Brahms und Ravel

12. Mai 2017 – Stadthalle Wetzlar, Rezital mit Werken von Mozart, Schubert, Brahms und Ravel

25. – 30. April 2017 – Tournee durch die Tschechische Republik

29. März 2017 – Philharmonie Berlin, Kammermusiksaal, Rezital mit Werken von Mozart, Brahms, Schubert und Ravel

22. Januar und 16. Februar 2017 – Philharmonie Sofia, Konzerte mit dem Philharmonischen Orchester Sofia, Werke von Saint-Säens und Mendelssohn

13. November 2016 – Stuttgart, Hospitalhof, Rezital mit den Klavierduos Hans-Peter und Volker Stenzl sowie Clara Mijung Shin und Samuel Sanglook Park

11. November 2016 – Schwerin, Konservatorium, Preisträgerkonzert des Wettbewerbs “Verfemte Musik”

24. Oktober 2016 – Rostock, Kammermusiksaal der Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Rezital mit Werken von Mozart, Hindemith, Ravel, Kurtag und Vladigueroff

09. Oktober 2016 – Illertissen, Festival Junge Künstler – Stars von Morgen, Rezital

14. August 2016 – Cochem, Internationaler Klaviersommer des Mosel Musikfestivals, Rezital

06. August 2016 – Schloss Johannisberg, Klassik Marathon im Rahmen des Rheingau Musik Festivals, Rezital

2. Juli 2016 – Frauenkirche Dresden, Rezital

12. Juli 2016 – München, Kammermusik Festival Nymphenburger Sommer, Rezital

09. Juli 2016 – Schwedt/Oder, Uckermärkische Bühnen, Brandenburgische Sommerkonzerte, Rezital

02. Juni 2016 – Palais des Beaux Arts Brüssel, Salle Henry Le Boeuf, Rezital

01. Juni 2016 – Philharmonie Luxembourg, Kammermusiksaal, Rezital

10. Mai 2016 – Rostock, Barocksaal, Rezital im Rahmen des Internationalen Pianistenforum

24. April 2016 – Fulda, Fürstensaal im Stadtschloss, Rezital

23. April 2016 – Marl, WDR-Konzerte, Rezital

21. April 2016 – Hamburg, Studio des NDR, Rolf-Liebermann-Saal, Podium der Jungen, Rezital

06. März 2016 – Coswig bei Dresden, Zentrum für Kammermusik und Literatur Villa Theresa, Rezital

21. Februar 2016 – Ochsenhausen, Preisträgerkonzert des Bruno-Frey-Musikpreises 2015

09. Februar 2016 – Rostock, Deutschlandradio, Sendung “Hörprobe”

Gallery

Shalamov Piano Duo I

Shalamov Piano Duo II

Shalamov Piano Duo III

Shalamov Piano Duo IV

Shalamov Piano Duo V

Shalamov Piano Duo VI

Shalamov Piano Duo VII

Shalamov Piano Duo VIII

Sound clips & Videos

Highlights of the opening weekend of the first Berlin Piano Duo Festival

Sofia Gubaidulina: “Variations on a Theme S-H-E-A” für two pianos.
Video-Production from the Chambermusic Hall of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg within the International Musikfest Hamburg 2021 (Start at 0:30′)

Ludwig von Beethoven: Synphony No 9 – d-minor, op. 125 arranged for two pianos by Franz Liszt – augmented by timpani played by Tom Greenleaves
New Year’s eve 2020, Gewandhaus Leipzig

Igor Stravinsky: Babin Petruschka for 2 pianos – 1st movement

Igor Stravinsky: Babin Petruschka for 2 pianos – 3rd movement

Maurice Ravel: “Introduction et Allegro”
Live recording of a recital at the Konzerthaus Berlin
August 6, 2018

Olivier Messiaen: From the “Visions de l’Amen”
No. 4 – “Amen du désir”
Live recording of a recital at the Konzerthaus Berlin
August 6, 2018

Maurice Ravel: “Daphnis et Chloë” – Suite No. 2
Live recording of a recital at the Konzerthaus Berlin
August 6, 2018

Encore – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata G-major KV 357/497a
Live recording of a recital at the Konzerthaus Berlin
August 6, 2018

Video-Portrait und price winner’s concert of the ARD International Music Competition Munich 2015
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto for two pianos and orchestra E flat-major, KV 365, Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, Conductor: Jun Märkl

Ferran Cruixent: “Binary” for 2 pianos – Semi finals of the ARD International Music Competition Munich 2015, commissioned by the competition.

Simone Fontanelli: From the Suite for two pianos – “Un poco adagio. Serenamente”

Samuel Barber: Souvenirs op.28, Waltz – Schottish – Pas de deux – Two-step – Hesitation Tango – Galop
Live recording of a recital at the Barocksaal Rostock, May 10, 2018

Samuel Barber: “Two Step” aus “Sounvenirs” Op. 28

Sergej Rachmaninov: 6 Morceaux op.11
Barcarolla – Scherzo – Russian Song – Valse – Romance – Slava
Live recording of a recital in the Barocksaal Rostock, May 10, 2018

György Kurtág: “Blumen die Menschen … (sich umschlingende Töne)” – “Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit” – “Blumen die Menschen …. (alio modo)” – Franz Schubert: Fantasy f-minor, D.940
Live recording of a recital at the Barocksaal Rostock, May 10, 2018

Sergej Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, op. 45, 2nd movement

Maurice Ravel: “Feria”

Repertoire

Repertoire for piano four hands

Bach – György Kurtág
Chorals from the transcriptions „From Machaut to J.S. Bach“

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Andante with variations G-major, KV 501
Sonata F-major, KV 497
Sonata C-major, KV 521

Franz Schubert
Fantasy f-minor, Op. 103, D 940
Allegro „Lebensstürme“ a-minor, Op.post. 144, D 947
Andantino with variations b-minor, Op. 84 No. 1
from the „Divertissements über französische Themen“ D 823
Divertissement à la Hongroise g-minor, Op. 54, D 818
Eight variations on an own theme, Op. 35, D 813

Johannes Brahms
Waltzes Op. 39

Georges Bizet
„Jeux d’enfants“ 12 pieces

Modest Mussorgsy – Nikolai Artsybushev
„A night on bald mountain“

Max Reger
Six waltzes Op. 22
Six pieces Op. 94

Edward McDowell
„Moon pictures“ Op. 21, duet after
Hans Christian Andersen’s „Picture-book without pictures“

Claude Debussy
Little Suite for piano four hands

Maurice Ravel
“Rhapsody Espagnole” (1907)
„Ma mère l’oye“ (1908/1910)

Sergei Rachmaninow
Suite (6 pieces) for piano four hands Op. 11

Samuel Barber
“Souvenirs” for piano four hands Op. 28

Repertoire for two pianos

Muzio Clementi
Sonata for two pianos B flat-major

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonata for two pianos D-major, KV 448
W.A. Mozart – Feruccio Busoni
Fantasy for Barrel organ f-minor, KV 608, KiV B 91
Ouverture to the opera „The magic flute“ KV 620, KiV B 93

Frederic Chopin
Rondo for two pianos C-major, Op. 73

Franz Liszt
Symphonic poem No. 10 „Les Préludes“ S. 638
Reminiscence to „Don Giovanni“ S. 418

Johannes Brahms
Sonata for two pianos f-minor, Op. 34b
(own arrangement of the Piano Quintet f-minor, Op. 34)
Variations on a theme by Joseph Haydn, Op. 56b
(own arrangement of Op. 56a for orchestra)

Sergei Tanejew
Prelude and fugue g sharp-minor, Op. 29

Claude Debussy
„Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune“ for two pianos

Sergei Rachmaninow
Suite for two pianos No. 2
Symphonic dances, Op. 45

Maurice Ravel
Introduction and Allegro for two pianos (1905/1906)
„La valse“ (1920/1921)

Francis Poulenc
Sonata for two pianos FP 156

Dimitri Schostakowitsch
Concertino for two pianos a-minor op. 94

Carlos Gustavino
“Tres romances Argentinos” for two pianos (1949)
„Bailecito“ for two pianos (1940)

Witold Lutosławski
Variations on a theme by Paganini WV 2305 (1941)

Repertoire Concertos

Concertos for two pianos and orchestra

Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for for two pianos c-minor, BWV 1060
Concerto for two pianos C-major, BWV 1061

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto for two pianos E flat-major, KV 365 (Piano-concerto No. 10)

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Concerto for two pianos E-major
Concerto for two pianos A flat-major

Camille Saint-Saëns
“Carnival of animals – Grande fantaisie zoologique”

Max Bruch
Concerto for two pianos Op. 88a

Béla Bartók
Concerto for two pianos, percussion and orchestra (1940)

Bohuslav Martinů
Concerto for two pianos, H 292 (1943)

Francis Poulenc
Concerto for two pianos d-minor, FP 61 (1932)

Arthur Bliss
Concerto for two pianos and orchestra
(woodwinds, brass, percussion – world premiere 1942)

George Crumb (*1929)
„Music for a summer evening“ concerto for two pianos and percussion
Makrokosmos III (1974)

Concertos for piano four hands and orchestra

Carl Czerny
Concerto for piano four hands and orchestra, Op. 153

Download repertoire-list oft the Shalamov piano duo as pdf.

Discography

On March 3rd, 2017 the debut-disc of the Shalamov piano duo was published with works by Ravel, Schubert, Debussy, Cruixent, Tanejew and Hindemith. We still consider the the selection highly thrilling, courageous and without precedent. Congratulations!