Maurice Ravel; Edvard Grieg; George Gershwin - Lost in Transcription (Ilia Iashin; Iana Batina)

Information

Composer: Maurice Ravel; Edvard Grieg; George Gershwin

1. Ravel - Violin Sonata No. 1, M. 12
2. Ravel - Kaddish
3. Grieg - Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Minor: I. Allegro molto ed appassionato
4. Grieg - Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Minor: II. Allegretto espressivo alla romanza
5. Grieg - Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Minor: III. Allegro animato
6. Gershwin - Summertime
7. Gershwin - It Ain't Necessarily So
8. Gershwin - My Man's Gone Now

Ilia Iashin, cello

Iana Batina, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Da Vinci Classics

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This recording project challenges the notion that transcription diminishes original works, instead presenting it as a means of enrichment and deeper understanding. Moving from Maurice Ravel through Edvard Grieg to George Gershwin, the program illustrates how adapting music across instruments can reveal new expressive layers. By reimagining pieces originally written for violin or voice—such as Ravel’s Sonate posthume and Kaddish, Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3, and selections from Porgy and Bess—the cello emerges not as a substitute but as a central voice, combining technical brilliance with lyrical depth while preserving its distinctive timbre.

Ilia Iashin, a cellist born into a musical family, began studying at age six and quickly launched an international career, touring France by eleven. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, studying with Igor Bobowitsch and Andrey Spiridonov, and later trained at the Menuhin Academy. A prize-supported student, he refined his artistry through masterclasses with leading cellists. Ilia has performed widely as a soloist with orchestras across Europe and Asia, including under Vladimir Jurowski. His repertoire spans Baroque to contemporary music, with premieres of new works and collaborations in chamber and orchestral settings. In 2024, he founded CelloArte, and in 2025 recorded his debut album Lost In Transcription. He is also an active teacher in Beijing and Moscow.

Iana Batina is an accomplished pianist and versatile keyboard musician, recognized for her artistry across piano, harpsichord, and hammerklavier. A prizewinner at major competitions, including the Karamanov International Piano Competition (1st Prize) and the Maria Yudina International Piano Competition (2nd Prize), she began her musical studies in Ukraine at age six. She graduated with a Gold Medal from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and is pursuing postgraduate studies there. Mentored by distinguished teachers and influenced by artists such as Alexei Lyubimov and Vladimir Tropp, she has built a multifaceted career as a soloist, accompanist, and educator, noted for her interpretive depth and broad repertoire.

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