The idea was taken from Andrea Bocelli. The Osipov Balalaika Orchestra, where Peter worked, has made the recording for Andrea Bocelli’s new album The Cinema. This work started after Bocelli’s group asked to record “Lara’s Theme” from Doctor Zhivago by Osipov balalaika orchestra in order to create a special sound after combining it with the symphony recording of this song. The arrangement and the recording of this song with the symphony orchestra was made by William Ross. Bocelli’s group sent the recording to Moscow and Peter Omelchenko made a special arrangement of it for the folk orchestra. Osipov balalaika orchestra performed it in the studio and the recording was made. After that the two recordings were mixed together. Some of you know this music as Somewhere, My Love. But Bocelli sings it in French, very popular language of Imperial Russia.
And now we have another unique arrangement for duet of guitar and Russian domra (the sister of balalaika).
✵✵✵Lara's theme (Doctor Zhivago) Maurice Jarre ✵✵✵
This arrangement was made specially for Musalliance Duo (Anna Kusner guitar Peter Omelchenko domra/mandolin/balalaika).
Temple Performing Art Center, Philadelphia 2018
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With Anna Kusner on guitar and Peter Omelchenko on domra and mandolin, Musalliance is an exciting new string duo offering virtuoso interpretations of classical, international, and folk favorites. Both natives of Russia and graduates of Moscow’s prestigious Gnessin Academy of Music, Anna and Peter formed Musalliance shortly after Peter’s recent emigration to the Washington, DC area, where he is a featured soloist with the Washington Balalaika Society.
After graduating from the Gnessin Academy in 1988, Ms. Kusner pursued an active performing career in Moscow both as a soloist and in accompanying vocalists from both the Bolshoi Opera and the Moscow Philharmonic Society. In 1990, she moved to Israel to study classical guitar at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, graduating in 1995. Subsequently, she pursued a flourishing concert career in Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and Egypt, appearing with prominent orchestras and chamber groups, while releasing more than a dozen CDs. For over 35 years, Anna taught the classical guitar at conservatories in both Russia and Israel, and she has continued her concertizing and teaching activities all over the United States since coming here three years ago.
After graduating from the Gnessin Academy in the special class of Alexander Tsygankov, Mr. Omelchenko quickly established himself as one of the most promising folk musicians of his generation, starting his career as a featured domra player with Moscow’s Nekrasov Balalaika Orchestra and then “fleeting up” to the world famous Osipov Balalaika Orchestra, where he performed as a soloist and became one of the Ossipov’s principal arrangers. Additionally, Peter became active with several smaller Moscow folk-instrument ensembles - both playing and arranging - and even appeared in stage and circus productions. Locally, in addition to performing with and occasionally conducting the orchestra of the Washington Balalaika Society, Peter plays with several chamber groups and has taken a growing number of music students under his wing.
Together, Anna and Peter bring to Musalliance the unique background of a rigorous Russian music education, extraordinary virtuosity, and a broad and eclectic repertoire drawn from both traditional and contemporary sources. While each is an extremely talented soloist in his or her own right, it is when they come together in a meeting of the musical minds that the sparks really fly, and the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts. In providing a unique and thrilling musical experience, Musalliance has delighted audiences on both coasts of the United States and brings new excitement to Washington’s musical scene.
To organize a concert, please, contact Anna Kusner +1 240-780-1692 , annaguitara@gmail.com or Peter Omelchenko +1 (703) 672-0076 , info@peter-omelchenko.com
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