FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Dear friends, I humbly ask for your vote in four categories this year:
Best Instrumental Album - Mozart. Post Scriptum
Best Chamber Music Album - Mosaic
Producer of the Year (Classical) - Sergei Kvitko
Best Engineered Album (Classical) - Mozart. Post Scriptum
More information about the entrees and streaming links are below:
Best Instrumental Album
MOZART. POST SCRIPTUM
Sergei Kvitko, piano
Madrid Soloists Chamber Orchestra
Tigran Shiganyan, conductor
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Sergei Kvitko, critically acclaimed pianist, composer/arranger, and internationally sought-after producer and sound engineer, wears all of these hats on his new production “Mozart. Post Scriptum,” his fresh, personal and occasionally lovingly irreverent take on Mozart masterpieces for piano and orchestra.
The cornerstone of the CD is Concerto in D Minor No. 20, K. 466 with new cadenzas by Kvitko that are full of surprises and pianistic fireworks. The album also features the world premiere recordings of Kvitko’s own special editions of Mozart’s Rondos in D Major K. 382 and A Major K. 386 for piano and orchestra. The scores include new additions in orchestration, ornamentation, articulation and dynamic markings, both bringing them closer to Mozart’s manuscripts and expanding on the composer’s original ideas.
Kvitko’s musical partner for this endeavor is Madrid Soloists Chamber Orchestra, a premiere Spanish ensemble comprised of musicians of the highest caliber from across Europe, Asia and the Americas, led by artistic director and concertmaster Gabor Szabo and conducted by Uzbekistani maestro Tigran Shiganyan.
PRESS QUOTES
“…polished pianism… glorious Horowitzian three-dimensional perspective" - Gramophone
“His musicality, refined touch, and command of phrasing are evident throughout… Kvitko captivates with the delicacy and charm of his playing… dazzles with devilishly difficult runs… staggers in virtuosity… entrances with languor and untainted beauty… breathtaking piano cadenza…” - Textura.Org
“[Mozart. Post Scriptum] is an absolute explosion of creativity for Mr. Kvitko. This man is simply incredible. It is Mozart after Mozart” - EarRelevant
"a classical listening experience you won’t soon forget." - Take Effect Reviews
“[Kvitko] manages to shed some new light on the communicative possibilities inherent in some of [Mozart's] themes." - Transcentury Media
"Kvitko delivers a refreshed, beautifully etched performance that does not substitute erudition for musicality"– Audiophile Audition
“This somewhat provocative recording vigorously shakes the Mozart monument… ...the pianist astonishes with bold playing... uncommonly clear articulation.... new cadenzas by Kvitko are spectacular, to say the least" – Pizzicato
Best Chamber Music Album
Wenting Kang, viola
Sergei Kvitko, piano
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Violist Wenting Kang, winner of the 1st Prize at the Tokyo International Viola Competition, who has been praised as “excellent violist” who “possesses a dark glowing sound” by the New York Times, presents her debut recording - a collection of short, diverse and colorful pieces by French and Spanish romantic composers that together create a mosaic of a cultural portrait of an era. These composers not only had a strong impact on each other ́s work, but they were also very connected in their personal lives.
Most of the pieces on this recording are arranged for viola for the first time, expanding the repertoire with beautiful gems of French and Spanish romanticism.
Ms. Kang’s partner on this recording is Sergei Kvitko, critically acclaimed pianist and internationally sought-after producer and sound engineer, who wears both of these hats on this production.
The CD was made in the summer of 2021 at one of the best European recording venues, Estudio Uno in Madrid, Spain.
PRESS QUOTES
"A terrific programme in every way… golden and glowing tone… her technique is close to flawless… brilliantly played… Kvitko is a superbly sensitive partner and his pearlescent tone can be as enticing as Kang’s" – Gramophone
"the extraordinary violist Wenting Kang is superlatively partnered by pianist Sergei Kvitko… uncannily perfect phrasing… flawless technique and sophisticated musicality… Wenting Kang is an artist to watch" – All About the Arts
"A most impressive debut, highly recommended… ravishing tonal control" – Classics Today
“One is immediately struck by Ms Kang’s beautiful tone, dark, soft as satin… excellent technical capacity… Ravel’s famous Pavane sounds exquisite… Sergei Kvitko plays with admirable rhythmic abandon, and with recorded sound of demonstration quality this is a disc that should appeal to a wide audience” – MusicWeb International
"This cycle fully showcases Kang’s superb technique and exemplary musicianship, as well Sergei Kvitko’s remarkable collaborative pianism." – Classics Today
“Kvitko supports Kang with such subtlety and care that the sound of the two instruments merges with an unobtrusive elegance that is thoroughly winning.” – Transcentury Media
"Sergei Kvitko is not only a brilliant pianist, but he is also a talented sound engineer. His contributions lift the project to a very high level." – Classical Voice North Carolina
"Kang lifts the music from the page, bringing it to life. Her performance is flawless. With a sensitive partnership, lovely program notes by the artist, and excellent sound engineering, this album stands up well to the mountain of new recordings. I look forward to following Wenting Kang's career unfold as she takes her place on the upper tier of twenty-first century performers."– Classical Voice North Carolina
"Wenting Kang is a viola exponent of true brilliance. Kang has the sort of presence you might feel when listening to Heiftiz, a sound original with a kind of musical aura. I cannot imagine a violist topping this series of performances. Ms. Kang clearly triumphs. Bravo!" – Gapplegate
"Kang’s performance is stunning. Throughout, Kvitko provides apt stylistic support capturing the nuances of the music with great clarity" – Cinemusical
"a superb release from an artist worth watching and is not to be missed." – Cinemusical
“[Kang and Kvitko] bring heartfelt expression to this lyrical collection, with the rich tone of the viola sounding “just right” for these pieces.” – Classical Candor
Producer of the Year (Classical)
Best Engineered Album (Classical)
Sergei Kvitko
PRESS QUOTES
“...as engineer he makes magic...”— Gramophone Magazine
“recording wizard”— New York Concert Review
“The disc was produced and engineered by Sergei Kvitko, noted for both his exceptional pianism and his rich and vibrant work in the recording studio. The piano sound here is state of the art”— Fanfare Magazine
“...it’s worth noting the exceptional sound quality of ‘Mozart. Post Scriptum,’ as the clarity with which the piano and orchestra are captured adds significantly to the impression the recording makes”— Textura.Org
“Kvitko has built a record company renowned for many fine things. He provides a unique experience for the artists with whom he works: refined musical ears, a rich and vibrant quality of recording production and an integrity of engineering that is increasingly hard to come by these days”— The Whole Note Magazine, Toronto
“[Blue Griffin] recordings have been widely praised for their rich and natural sound as result of Kvitko’s perfectionist engineering standards”— Fanfare Magazine
“...a consistent stream of exceptionally enjoyable recordings”— American Record Guide
“...the recorded sound is terrific, courtesy of Blue Griffin producer, engineer, chief cook and bottle washer Sergei Kvitko, a fine pianist himself and one of the best in the business.”— Fanfare Magazine