Various Composers - Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Hope (Anastasiia Larchikova; Mykhailo Diordiiev)

Information

• Zoltan Almashi - Carpathian Song
• John Corigliano - Gazebo Dances
• Myroslav Skoryk - 3 Extravagant Dances
• Lowell Liebermann - Romance, Etude & Chorale, Op. 134
• Bohdan Sehin - Ru-um-bambar
• Ricky Ian Gordon - Ring-a-Ding-Ding

Anastasiia Larchikova & Mykhailo Diordiiev, piano 4-hands

Date: 2025

Label: Reference Recordings

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Ukrainian and American Music for Piano Duo showcases pianists Anastasiia Larchikova and Mykhailo Diordiiev in a vibrant program of contemporary works split between Ukrainian and American composers. The American selections include John Corigliano’s Gazebo Dances, Ricky Ian Gordon’s Ring-A-Ding-Ding, and the world premiere recording of Lowell Liebermann’s Romance, Etude and Chorale, Op. 134, originally commissioned as a wedding gift for Lang Lang. The Ukrainian side features Zoltan Almashi’s Carpathian Song, Myroslav Skoryk’s Three Extravagant Dances, and Bohdan Sehin’s Ru-um-bambar. Blending accessibility, folk influences, and modern textures, the album also serves a humanitarian purpose, with proceeds supporting aid for Ukraine.

Ukrainian pianists Anastasiia Larchikova and Mykhailo Diordiiev are emerging talents with growing international recognition. Larchikova earned her Bachelor’s (2021) and Master’s (2023) degrees from the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv before continuing studies with Peter Jozsa at Kunstuniversität Graz, supported by a 2024 Austrian Ministry of Culture scholarship. A prizewinner at competitions in Ukraine and France, she was also a semifinalist at the 2024 Alicante International Piano Competition. Diordiiev, also studying with Jozsa in Graz, previously trained with Natalia Gridneva in Kyiv. A recipient of Ukrainian presidential scholarships and Austrian cultural support, he has performed widely across Europe and won prizes in U.S. and French competitions, including the Samson François International Piano Competition.