L’ERMITAGE FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES

Presents
Cellist RUSLAN BIRYUKOV &
Harpsichordist NATHAN LEWIS
In Concert Performing Three Baroque Italian Sonatas
For Cello and Harpsichord Featuring A Legendary and
Famous 60-Year-Old Neupert Harpsichord
From Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. in Los Angeles
Making a Rare Public Appearance

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023 AT 8:00 P.M.
LUXE SUNSET BOULEVARD HOTEL, GRAND BALLROOM
11461 SUNSET BLVD. (AT CHURCH LANE, I-405), LOS ANGELES, CA  90049

WORKS BY VIVALDI, BOCCHERINI AND A LOCATELLI SONATA WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED
 IN ITS ORIGINAL SETTING WITH HARPSICHORD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LOS ANGELES

The August 31st Concert Serves as a Preview of the A Music Film With The Same Program
 To Be Released on September 8th via RusLan Biryukov’s YouTube Channel, www.YouTube.com/BestCello <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>  <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>

Los Angeles, CA (July 31, 2023) – L’Ermitage Foundation Concert Series will present Cellist RusLan Biryukov (of Encino, CA) and Harpsichordist Nathan Lewis (of Newport Beach, CA) in concert performing three Italian Baroque virtuoso Cello Sonatas on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, 11461 Sunset Boulevard (at Church Lane/I-405), Los Angeles, CA  90049.  Here are some sample musical excerpts of music to be performed:  https://youtu.be/RMFLRA5QwcI

Nathan Lewis will be playing a legendary and famous 60-year-old Neupert Harpsichord from Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. in Los Angeles, which will be making a rare public appearance.  RusLan Biryukov will be playing a Cello crafted by Pierre Gaggini (1976) provided by Robert Cauer, the Hollywood-based string instrument restorer for The Colburn instrument collection and the Los Angeles Philharmonic string instrument collection.

Renee Cherniak, Executive Director of L’Ermitage Foundation said, “We are honored to present critically acclaimed Russian/American Cellist RusLan Biryukov in recital with noted Pianist Nathan Lewis who will be playing a renowned 60-year-old Neupert Harpsichord.  We are very grateful to the Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. for providing us with this crown jewel instrument in their collection for this concert for our concertgoers to see and hear this magnificent instrument in person, which is an occasion in and of itself.”

Helga Kasimoff, 92-year-old Owner of Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co., said, “My late husband, Bill and I acquired the Neupert Harpsichord 60 years ago in August 1963, when we started our business.  It was built by J.C. Neupert in Bamberg, West Germany in 1963. The harpsichord is eight feet, seven inches long; three feet, five inches wide; weighs 375 pounds and has two manual keyboards and seven pedals.  This particular ‘star’ harpsichord is unlike no other, in that it has been featured in countless Hollywood films, television shows, commercials, in concerts, and on recordings.  FROM OPERA SINGERS MARILYN HORNE AND BEVERLY SILLS to “Titanic” and “The Little Mermaid,” to “The Partridge Family” and “Kung Fu,” to New York City Opera and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Neupert Harpsichord is the most heard, recorded and traveled harpsichord in the world.”

The August 31st L’Ermitage Foundation program will include three Baroque Italian Sonatas for Cello and Harpsichord, including Antonio Vivaldi’s (1678-1741) “Sonata in E minor. No. 5,” Luigi Boccherini’s (1743-1805) “Cello Sonata No. 6 in A Major,” and Pietro Locatelli’s (1695-1764) “Sonata in D Major.”

During the concert the audience will also be offered a demonstration of the various sound qualities of the unique historic harpsichord, as well as some comments about the general historic perspective of the Italian Baroque styles and 18th century virtuoso instrumental music.

Admission to the concert is $60.00 per person.  Due to limited seating, Advance Reservations for the 60-minute concert are required and can be made by calling the L’Ermitage Foundation at 310-472-3330 or by E-mailing [email protected], or via Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ruslan-biryukov-nathan-lewis-lermitage-concert-series-luxe-tickets-682003810757

Valet parking is available at the hotel for $16 per car. To learn more about this concert and tax-deductible membership in L’Ermitage Foundation, please visit online at http://lermitagefoundation.org

The August 31st program will be a live preview of a video film recording of the same program to be released, September 8th at 8:00 p.m. PST on RusLan Biryukov’s YouTube Channel, www.YouTube.com/BestCello <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>  <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>

More About The Performing Artists:
RusLan Biryukov (Руслан Бирюков) is the Founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Cello Quartet and Artistic Director of Positive Motions Concert Series in Los Angeles, as well as a Professional Cellist and Educator.

Biryukov has received critical acclaim for his artistry as a cellist.  The late cellist Eleonore Schoenfeld, Piatigorsky Chair of Thornton School of Music, wrote: “RusLan is a charismatic performer who brings the audiences to their feet.  His artistry is both sensitive and passionate and his technical command of the instrument is stunning.”  Peter Mark, the Former Artistic Director of Virginia Opera has written, “RusLan is an extraordinary, one of kind performer.  He has everything: technique, virtuosity, personality, communication, attractive and articulate presence, a great human story and background.”

Biryukov is the only cellist ever invited to perform for 10 consecutive years solo recitals at the Sundays Live Concert Series in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the longest running live radio broadcasted concert series in the United States on KUSC 91.5 FM.

Biryukov was also the only Russian cellist invited to solo with an orchestra during the inaugural season of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Orange County.  He has appeared as a Soloist the Temecula Valley Symphony, Redlands Bowl Symphony, Marina Del Rey Symphony (Summer Series), the San Bernardino Symphony Huntington Beach Symphony, Wichita Symphony and Kansas Symphony.  He has performed with world-renowned violinist Midori at Disney Hall in Los Angeles, with cellist Kirill Rodin at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory, and with members of the Ysaye Quartet.  Ruslan Biryukov was a former co-host, along with the late conductor Frank Fetta, of “The Cool Classics” radio show broadcast from LA Talk Live Radio.
 
Biryukov has been a master teacher in music festivals in Europe and Russia.  He has held teaching positions at the Ippolitov-Ivanov State Institute of Music in Moscow, Russia; the Music Academy in Lovran, Croatia; and the California Institute of Music in the United States.  His creative artistic ideas are based upon the traditions he learned from esteemed artists Kirill Rodin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniil Shafran, Natalia Gutman, Janos Starker, Steven Isserlis, and the late Eleonore Schoenfeld (USC Thornton School of Music, Piatigorsky Chair).
 
Biryukov is a prominent pedagogue.  Within the last decade of his TEACHING, he has maintained leading positions within the Los Angeles music educational arena.  Many of his students have become successful professional cellists and have been accepted by major universities and music conservatories with full scholarships, including USC, UCLA, CSUF and San Francisco Conservatory.  He has given Cello Master Classes at major universities in the United States and abroad, including University of Austin, TX, UCLA, CalState Fullerton, Wichita University, Boulder University in Colorado, Kazakh National University of the Arts, as well as An international music festivals in Europe and Russia.
 
Born in Baku, Azerbaijian, Biryukov received his formal music education at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory in Russia (Master of Music, M.A.), and the USC Thornton School of Music in the United States (Artist Diploma and Graduate Certificate).  He first earned international recognition by winning major awards in Azerbaijan and by the inclusion of his name in the Golden Book of Russia’s international program “New Names.”  Biryukov has gone on to win numerous other awards worldwide, including the Grand Prize at the 17th Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition.

Biryukov resides in Encino, CA.  He was awarded permanent residency from the U.S. government as an “Extraordinary Ability Artist.”  The title means that he has “sustained national or international acclaim and the achievements have been recognized” in his field, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  In 2016 Biryukov became a naturalized citizen of United States. Additionally, Biryukov is the only professional cellist in the world granted United States Commercial Pilot license and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument single and multi-engine airplanes licenses.  To learn more, please visit, www.RusLanConservatory.com <http://www.RusLanConservatory.com>  <http://www.RusLanConservatory.com> , www.YouTube.com/BestCello <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>  <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello> , and on Instagram @RuslanMusicArt

Nathan Lewis (Harpsichordist) was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1993, and now resides in Newport Beach, CA. He showed an interest in music at a young age, and was taking lessons in both piano and violin by the age of even.  Pursuing both instruments, his primary studies were conducted at the Colburn School of Music and UC Irvine (violin with Aimée Kreston and Haroutune Bedelian, piano with David Dunford).  He continues to perform on both instruments, with a wide-ranging repertoire stretching from the late Renaissance to music of our time.  He currently maintains a private piano studio at Orange County Music and Dance while also teaching theory, composition, and coaching string and wind players.
 
More About The Music In The Program:
Antonio Vivaldi, composer of “Sonata in E minor, No.5” was an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist and impresario of Baroque music.  Known as “The Red Priest” for two reasons: he had bright red hair and was trained as a Catholic Priest.  Vivaldi ranks among the greatest Baroque composers and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe, giving origin to many imitators and admirers.  The “Sonata in E minor” is extremely well known primarily as a training platform for young cellists and included in almost all cello performance textbooks. This piece of music was performed by two cellists, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, in their arrangement of “Thunderstruck,” by AC/DC.  Nonetheless, in spite of the popularity of the Sonata, it is almost never performed in its original setting; this is a unique opportunity to hear the piece as composer composed it.

Luiggi Boccherini, composer of the “Cello Sonata No. 6 in A Major,” was one of the greatest cellist virtuosos of the Baroque-Rococo era, extremely popular at the time.  The piece represents significant technical challenges to the players; the cello as the closest to human’s voice instrument is implied to emulate mezzo-soprano vocalizations and coloraturas.
 
Pietro Locatelli, composer of “Sonata in D Major,” was Johann Sebastian Bach’s contemporary, and an Italian Baroque violin virtuoso.  The piece was originally composed for Violin and Harpsicord and was arranged for Cello in the beginning of 20th century by an Italian Cellist Alfredo Piatti.  The Sonata is notorious for the technical difficulties and almost never performed live.  There are no known recordings of the piece with the Harpsichord either.  The piece will be performed in the original instrument setting for the first time in Los Angeles and for the first time in the history of the video recording of the piece with harpsichord will be released via RusLan Biryukov’s YouTube Channel on September 2, 2023 at www.YouTube.com/BestCello <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>  <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>  <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>
 
More About the Neupert Harpsichord:
The Neupert Harpsichord was built in 1963, Serial Number 22000, by J.C. Neupert in Bamberg, West Germany.  The harpsichord was acquired and imported by Bill and Helga Kasimoff in August 1963 when they started their business 60 years ago, the Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. in Pasadena, CA.  Today the company is headquartered in Larchmont Village, CA, and is run by Helga Kasimoff and her sons, Serge, Ivan and Kyril Kasimoff.

The Neupert Harpsichord is the most heard, recorded and traveled harpsichord in the world, according to its owner, Helga Kasimoff.  It is a HIGH-QUALITY instrument, which is well maintained and cared for and it continues to serve music 60 years later after it was built in 1963.

The harpsichord is eight feet, seven inches long; three feet, five inches wide; weighs 375 pounds and has two manual keyboards, seven pedals and seven and 1/6 octaves.  The harpsichord is a Brazilian Rosewood, with Brass Inlay and Brass Casters, featuring four rows of strings, four stops:  one row of four foot strings, two rows of eight foot strings, and one row of 16 foot strings.  The harpsichord has all original parts, with the exception of two refinishings which were done on the instrument during its 60 years.

Given this harpsichord’s movement it is a legendary instrument, which allows for it to be used in performances, recordings, for research, teaching, and composing.
 
The “star” harpsichord has been used in musical scores for Hollywood movies like: “Tales of a Geisha” (John Williams), “Seabiscut” (Hans Zimmer), “Titanic” (James Horner), “Planet of the Apes” (Jerry Goldsmith), “The Addams Family Values” (Marc Shaiman), “Hercules” (Alan Menken), “The Little Mermaid” (Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Jacques Offenbach), “Aladdin” (Alan Menken), “The French Connection” (Don Ellis), “Star Trek” (Jerry Goldsmith), “The Last of Sheila” (Billy Goldenberg), and many others.
 
Television shows in which harpsichord has been heard in the music include: “The Odd Couple,” “The Partridge Family” (opening theme), “Kung Fu,” “Colombo,” “Mannix,” “The Rockford Files,” “The FBI,” “Barnaby Jones,” “The Brady Bunch” and “I Dream of JEANNIE, “ to name a few.
 
Singers who have performed with the harpsichord include:  Marilyn Horne, Beverly Sills, and Marni Nixon, among others.  Artists who have performed on the harpsichord include:  Igor Kipnis, Rosalyn Tureck, Gustave Leonhardt, Elizabeth Chojnacka, Fernando Valenti, Malcolm Hamilton, Lalo Schifrin, Pearl Kaufman, Zita Carno, Sir Neville Mariner, Jeffrey Kahane, Grant Gershon, Mike Lange and
Randy Kerber, among others.

Those who have performed with the harpsichord include:  David & Igor Oistrak, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New York City Opera, Pacific Symphony, San Francisco Opera, Pasadena Symphony, Dominguez Hills Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, San Bernardino Symphony, San Diego Symphony, California Chamber Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, Young MUSICIANS’ Foundation and Deutsche Oper.
 
Recordings include:  The Beach Boys, Janis Joplin, Barry White, John Denver, Lalo Schiffrin, The Jackson 5, The Doors, Frank Zappa, Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep, The Mamas and the Papas, The Monkees, The Carpenters, Steppenwolf, Supertramp, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (Sir Neville Mariner, Founder, Conductor), “Bach Behind Bars” Chino State Prison (Jack Crossan), Musical Offering, and more.
 
Recording Studios include:  Capitol Records, Western Recorders, Sunset Sound, A&M, Henson Studios, Group IV, Evergreen, Cello, Rumbo and more.
 
Movie Studios who have used the harpsichord include:  20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., SONY – MGM, Paramount Pictures and The Walt Disney Company.
 
The harpsichord has traveled throughout Southern California to San Francisco, San Diego, Palm Desert, and Las Vegas (Caesar’s Palace, Flamingo Hotel).
 
The Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. imports Neupert Harpsichords, Fortepianos and Schiedmayer Celesta.  The instruments are placed in homes of professionals, students, and lovers of music, as well as recording studios, concert stages and universities and colleges.

The Kasimoffs are known for their knowledgeable and personal service.  Whenever the special qualities of the Blúthner are desired, the Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. provides pianos for live recitals, chamber music concerts, and opera and ballet performances, as well as for recordings for film and television projects.

The Kasimoffs have also restored Blüthner grand pianos owned by Composer Jerome Kern (1924), Prince Esterházy (1903), King Johann of Saxony (1867) and Composer Ernest Toch (1926) at Villa Aurora in the Pacific Palisades, CA.

Now celebrating their 60th Anniversary in business, Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. today is run by Helga, Serge, Ivan and Kyril Kasimoff,  The piano store, which is located in Larchmont Village area, is Los Angeles’ oldest piano store.  Learn more at www.kasimoffpiaoslosangeles.com <http://www.kasimoffpiaoslosangeles.com>  <http://www.kasimoffpiaoslosangeles.com>

More About L’Ermitage Foundation:
L’Ermitage Foundation offers a classical music concert series in an intimate salon setting while raising funds for charitable organizations. L’Ermitage Foundation was founded in September 1983 by Polish-born American hotelier and philanthropist Severyn Ashkenazy as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.  Today L’Ermitage Foundation is overseen by Executive Director, Renee Cherniak and offers subscription packages to members, which include attendance to all concerts held throughout the year, along with post-concert conversations with the artists. New members are always welcome.  Learn more at http://lermitagefoundation.org

Music Calendar Listing:
L’Ermitage Foundation Concert Series Presents
Cellist RusLan Biryukov and Harpsichordist Nathan Lewis In Concert
Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN:
L’Ermitage Foundation Concert Series will present Cellist RusLan Biryukov and Harpsichordist Nathan Lewis in concert performing three Baroque Italian Sonatas for Cello and Harpsichord featuring the legendary and famous 60-year-old Neupert Harpsichord from Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano Co. in Los Angeles which will be making a rare public appearance on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, 11461 Sunset Boulevard (at Church Lane/I-405), Los Angeles, CA  90049.  The program includes Antonio Vivaldi’s (1678-1741) “Sonata in E minor. No. 5,” Luigi Boccherini’s (1743-1805) “Cello Sonata No. 6 in A Major,” and Pietro Locatelli’s (1695-1764) “Sonata in D Major.”  Here are some sample musical excerpts of music to be performed:  https://youtu.be/RMFLRA5QwcI

The August 31st program will be a live preview of a video film recording of the same program to be released, September 8th at 8:00 p.m. PST on RusLan Biryukov’s YouTube Channel,  www.YouTube.com/BestCello <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>  <http://www.YouTube.com/BestCello>

HOW:
Admission to the concert is $60.00 per person.  Due to limited seating, Advance Reservations for the 60-minute concert are required and can be made by calling the L’Ermitage Foundation at 310-472-3330 or by E-mailing [email protected], or via Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ruslan-biryukov-nathan-lewis-lermitage-concert-series-luxe-tickets-682003810757
Valet parking is available at the hotel for $16 per car.  To learn more about this concert and tax-deductible membership in L’Ermitage Foundation, please visit online at http://lermitagefoundation.org

L’ERMITAGE FOUNATION TO PRESENT CELLIST RUSLAN BIRYUKOV AND HARPSICHORDIST NATHAN LEWIS IN CONCERT

L’ERMITAGE FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES WILL PRESENT CELLIST RUSLAN BIRYUKOV AND HARPSICHORDIST NATHAN LEWIS IN CONCERT WITH A LEGENDARY 60-YEAR-OLD NEUPERT HARPSICHORD IN THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE LUXE SUNSET BOULEVARD HOTEL IN LOS ANGELES, CA AT 8:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023.  THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE THREE BAROQUE ITALIAN SONATAS FOR CELLO AND HARPSICHORD, INCLUDING WORKS BY VIVALDI, BOCCHERNINI AND LOCATELLI.  DUE TO LIMITING SEATING, ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AND CAN BE MADE BY CALLING 310-472-3330.  LEARN MORE ONLINE BY VISITING, HTTP://LERMITAGEFOUNDATION.ORG  DON’T MISS THIS UNIQUE CONCERT.  CALL 310-472-3330 TODAY!

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