Various Composers - With Affection (Nina Kotova; Fabio Bidini)

Information

• Dmitri Shostakovich - Cello Sonata in D Minor, Op. 40
• Claude Debussy - Cello Sonata, L. 135
• Dmitri Shostakovich - The Lipid Stream Suite, Op. 39a: IV. Adagio (arr. Levon Atovmyan)
• Bohuslav Martinů - Variations sur un thème Slovaque, H. 378
• Bohuslav Martinů - Variations on a Theme of Rossini, H. 290
• Frédéric Chopin - Introduction & Polonaise brillante in C Major, Op. 3, B. 41 (arr. Pierre Fournier, Igor Gavrish & Nina Kotova)

Nina Kotova, cello

Fabio Bidini, piano

Date: 2025

Label: Delos

_____________________

With Affection, the latest album by cellist Nina Kotova on the Delos label, features a personal and expressive selection of works close to her heart. The recording opens with Shostakovich’s introspective Cello Sonata and his rarely heard Adagio from The Limpid Stream. Debussy’s whimsical Cello Sonata offers a contrasting mood, while Martinů’s Variations on a Slovakian Theme and Variations on a Theme of Rossini highlight his rhythmic vitality and charm. The album concludes with Chopin’s Introduction and Polonaise Brillante, showcasing a dynamic partnership between Kotova and pianist Fabio Bidini in a vibrant, virtuosic finale.

Russian-born cellist Nina Kotova (b. 1969) has performed as a soloist and recitalist in major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Concertgebouw. A third-generation musician, she began cello studies early and won the Prague International Competition at 15. After graduating from the Moscow Conservatory, she continued her studies in Germany and the U.S. Kotova has recorded for Delos, Sony, Philips, and Warner Classics, with a repertoire spanning from Bach to contemporary composers like Theofanidis and Nyman. Also a composer, her works include concertos and chamber pieces, reflecting her deep commitment to expanding the cello repertoire through both performance and composition.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz