Various Composers - Garland of Sonnets (Sergei Nakariakov; Maria Meerovitch)

Information

• Alfred Schnittke - Suite in the Old Style
• Youli Galperine - Garland of Sonnets, Op. 44
• Giya Kancheli - 18 Miniatures for Violin and Piano
• Giya Kancheli - Simple Music for Piano

Sergei Nakariakov, violin

Maria Meerovitch, piano

Date: 2025

Label: Luiza Records

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Garland of Sonnets showcases trumpet virtuoso Sergei Nakariakov and pianist Maria Meerovitch in an imaginative program spanning works by Alfred Schnittke, Youli Galperine, and Giya Kancheli. The album opens with Schnittke’s Suite in the Old Style, evoking 18th-century charm with rich textures and nuanced interplay. Galperine’s five pieces offer expressive, minimalist lyricism, highlighting Nakariakov’s fluid phrasing and Meerovitch’s supportive dynamism. Kancheli’s selections, drawn from his 18 Miniatures, blend quirky rhythms and cinematic beauty, with standout solo piano moments from Meerovitch. This refined, emotionally rich collaboration demonstrates deep artistic chemistry, technical brilliance, and poetic sensitivity, making it a deeply moving listening experience.

Born in 1977 in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod, Russia), Sergei Nakariakov began as a pianist before switching to trumpet under the guidance of his father, Mikhail Nakariakov, who helped develop a unique repertoire for him. Renowned for his virtuosity and expressive depth, Nakariakov's repertoire spans original trumpet works, transcriptions, and commissions by contemporary composers like Jörg Widmann and Fazil Say. He has performed with leading orchestras and conductors, and collaborates regularly with top musicians, including pianist Maria Meerovitch. His acclaimed discography includes releases on Teldec and his own label, Luiza Records. He plays flugelhorn by Antoine Courtois, Paris.

Maria Meerovitch, born in St. Petersburg, began piano studies at age six and performed at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic by eight. She trained at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory and later moved to Belgium in 1990 on a Yehudi Menuhin Foundation scholarship. Graduating with honors from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, she became a professor there while building an international performing career. Meerovitch has performed at top venues worldwide and collaborated with artists like Martha Argerich and Vadim Repin. Known for her long-time duo with trumpeter Sergei Nakariakov, she also researches injury prevention in pianists, based on her recovery from tendonitis.

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