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piano-small.jpg Blue Griffin Recording is an independent recording label and full service recording company. We are located in Lansing, Michigan.
Recording engineer and producer Sergei Kvitko has completed degrees in music from Russia and the US, including Doctorate in Piano Performance from Michigan State University. (Read more...)
BGR uses the highest quality equipment to achieve the superb sound that has been praised by Gramophone ("vividly detailed, vibrant sonics"), and American Record Guide ("The recording is close to ideal, rich but clear, truthful, and immediate") among others. (Read more reviews...)
Blue Griffin is a unique label as it follows creation of the CD from beginning to end, from setting up the microphones, recording, editing and mastering, graphic design and printing, to distribution, advertising and sales. (View full Catalog...)patch2-small.jpg

Since 2006-07 season Blue Griffin and First Presbyterian Church of Lansing sponsor the "FINE ARTS SERIES" . ( Read more about the series ...)

 

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Fanfare Reviews "Dances"
DANCES  •  Natalia Khoma (vc); Volodymyr Vynnytsky (pn)  •  BLUE GRIFFIN 149 (57:54)

CASSADÓ Requiebros. GRANADOS Goyescas: Intermezzo. VYNNYTSKY Lost Tango. BRAHMS Hungarian Dances: No. 1 in g; No. 2 in a. CHOPIN Polonaise brilliante in C. BARTÓK Romanian Folk Dances. FALLA Suite populaire espagnole. El amor brujo: Ritual Fire Dance Dances Audio CD Blue Griffin

Here is another disc from the Blue Griffin label that features artists—mainly cellists and pianists—hailing from Russia and former Soviet republics. Natalia Khoma and Volodymyr Vynnytsky are Ukrainian natives, both of whom now reside, perform, and teach in the U.S. I reviewed a previous Blue Griffin release with this same team in a Beethoven and Rachmaninoff program for Fanfare 32:2.

The reader may chalk up to just a matter of personal taste the fact that I am not favorably disposed towards programs comprised in the main of transcriptions of well-known works originally written by their composers for other instruments. There is much original music in the cello-piano repertoire that is under-recorded or not recorded at all that is worthy of attention; and I would look forward to both of these fine musicians devoting their considerable talents to more serious projects.

That out of the way, I can say that Natalia Khoma is solid of technique and tone, the latter of which she is quite adept at modulating to suit the mood and style of each individual piece. Volodymyr Vynnytsky, in addition to being a technically secure, bold, and characterful pianist, gives evidence of being a very talented composer. His Lost Tango is surely the most interesting and, for me, the most appealing item on the disc. Unfortunately, the credits do not identify the adept transcriber of these pieces; but given his demonstrated talent for composition, I’m going to venture a guess they are Vynnytsky’s handiwork.

Given the reservations noted above, a limited recommendation then to those with an interest in these particular artists and/or in virtuosic showpieces transcribed for cello and piano. Jerry Dubins
 
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