Two outstanding young Russian soloists - cellist Boris Andrianov and guitarist Dimitri Illarionov - combine forces in this rare and wonderful combination. Andrianov, who plays the cello with the ease of a violin, and Illarionov, who does not seem to know any instrumental boundaries, show an unbelievable breadth of musicality. Both musicians won important competitions. Their duo CD "Classical Duo" (by Delos Records, USA) was in the preliminary list of nominations for Grammy Award. This CD as well as Dimitri Illarionov's solo CDs with Naxos, Daminus Records and Edition Doberman and Boris Andrianov's CDs with Quartz Records were highly acclaimed by critics. The duo has given concerts in Europe, North America and Asia. They took part in some significant festivals, such as the 2004 Los Angeles Festival of Russian Culture, the Tongyeong International Music Festival (Korea) and the Crescendo International Music Festival in St.Petersburg, Russia. In 2005 they were invited to play at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe and had an appearance between the speeches of German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among other venues where they have performed as a duo are the 2006 G-8 Summit in Saint-Petersburg, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Music Festival and in France: Festival de musique d'Auvers-sur-Oise, the Festival Pablo Casals Prades and the Annecy Classic Festival, the Frick Collection in New York, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee...

Cellist Boris Andrianov, winner of the bronze medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, is the first Russian laureate at the International Rostropovich Competition in Paris. His talent has been recognized by musicians such as Zubin Mehta - "his profound musicality and phrasing impresses one almost immediately." and Daniil Shafran - "Boris Andrianov is probably one of the most talented cellists of Russia at present." Boris Andrianov has performed at the Moscow Conservatory halls, Moscow Philharmonic Hall, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall, the Concertgebouw, Tokyo's Opera City and Suntory Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He has performed with the French National Orchestra, the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, the Beethoven Orchestra with such conductors as Valery Gergiev, Pavel Kogan, Alexander Vedernikov, Krzysztof Penderecki and David Geringas. His CD of Rachmaninov and Shostakovich sonatas with pianist Uri Urasin on the Quartz label received the Gramophone's "Editor's Choice".

Guitarist Dimitri Illarionov is the winner of two of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world - the International Guitar Foundation of America Solo Guitar Competition and the International Guitar Competition of Francisco Tarrega (the first time in 42 years that the winner was from Russia). Dimitri has played in some of the most prestigious halls in the world - Tonhalle (Zurich, Switzerland); Lutfu Kirdar (Istanbul); Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory; Concert Hall "Bulgaria" (Sofia); Osaka Symphony Hall; "Schleswig-Holstein" Music Festival. He teaches at the Russian Gnesins's Academy of Music. "... with such temperament, musicianship, richness of colour, radiance, sense of timing and feeling the acoustic qualities of his soft-toned instrument that the combination of all these abilities, coupled with an evident gift for entertainment, is the best expressed in one single word: wow!" "Tages-Anzeiger" (Zurich, Switzerland)

BRILLIANT RUSSIAN DUO IN REDWOOD ARTS COUNCIL OCCIDENTAL RECITAL

“Thrilling… The two stellar Russians gave the finest cello recital in the North Bay since the Isserlis-Gerstein concert in Newman long ago. Their musical marriage was passionately united in the service of great music.”
Classical Sonoma

“Stunned is the perfect way to describe the audience reaction… they were both truly amazing. We were all just riveted.”
Dan Silver, Mobile Chamber Music Society

“In my humble opinion, the recital yesterday rivaled any I have ever heard, here or anywhere else.”
Mobile audience member

“…their great virtuosity contributed to an electric performance of musical depth…”
Harry Strub, Virtuosi Concerts, Winnipeg

“Boris and Alex's performance in Tucson was a jewel.”
Bryan Daum, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music

“Their performance was absolutely astounding. In each work they went to the essence of the music. I have heard many performances of Shostakovich's music over the years but I can say that this contrast I speak of between purity, beauty and love and the darkness and dangers that surround that light was never more clearly, artfully articulated than by Andrianov and Kobrin.”
Carl Baum, Sunset Concerts audience member

Piazzolla - Muerte del Angel

Doina de Banat - traditional Moldavian suite

Manuel de Falla - El Pano Moruno

de Falla - Polo

John Dowland -Five Knacks for Ladies

Piazzolla - Invierno Porteno