A dialogue between two geniuses: concertos by Bach and Vivaldi.

The ensemble of Alexander Zagorinsky, a Russian cellist, Honoured Artist of Russia and professor, and Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, a Norwegian pianist, two-time Grieg Prize winner and professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music, is well known to a wide range of music lovers. Each of the musicians has been an active solo performer for many years. Their albums have been released on major labels around the world, and this one is not their first joint project on Melodiya.

The album includes solo performances of each of the musicians. So, Alexander Zagorinsky plays two cello concertos by Antonio Vivaldi, a great representative of the Italian Baroque school. The ‘Red Priest’ wrote about thirty masterful cello concertos that are not inferior to his violin masterpieces.

Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, who is best known for his romantic repertoire, has frequently turned to Bach’s works showcasing his refined sense of style and deep insight into the world of Baroque music. He performs three keyboard concertos by the great Leipzig cantor.

The album is built as a dialogue between German and Italian Baroque – the Bach and Vivaldi concertos are performed by turns. The recordings also feature the remarkable Chamber Orchestra of the Vologda Philharmonic Society led by Alexander Loskutov, a talented musician and true enthusiast of his trade. Zagorinsky and Steen-Nøkleberg have taken part in the orchestra’s concerts on a regular basis.