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Composer

Alexander Tsfasman

Concerts and Operas

Yuja Wang & Víkingur Ólafsson: Live in Berlin
Philharmonie, Berlin
Concert100 Min

An Evening of Artistry with Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson

Join us for a memorable live performance at Berlin's prestigious Philharmonie, featuring the genuine artistry of two world-renowned pianists, Yuja Wang, and Víkingur Ólafsson. The evening will be highlighted by mesmerizing renditions of works by Alexander Tsfasman, a brilliant Soviet-era composer and pianist whose music continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Dive into the depth and breadth of Tsfasman's craft, brought to life by the deft hands and profound artistic interpretations of Wang and Ólafsson. This is surely an event that every music lover wouldn't want to miss!

Alexander Tsfasman: A Brief Biography and His Contributions

Alexander Naumovich Tsfasman was born on December 14, 1906, in Alexandrovsk (now Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine). Coming from a barber's family, he began studying violin at the age of seven but soon shifted his focus to the piano. Tsfasman attended the Nizhny Novgorod Musical Technicum and later graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1930 under the tutelage of Felix Blumenfeld. He was a pianist, composer, conductor, arranger, bandleader, and activist. Tsfasman was instrumental in popularizing jazz in the Soviet Union, often blending it with classical music elements.

Fascinating Works by Alexander Tsfasman

In 1926, Tsfasman founded the first professional jazz band in the USSR, known as the "AMA Jazz Band." This ensemble performed at prominent venues and was involved in the first live jazz broadcast on Soviet radio in 1927. Tsfasman composed and performed a variety of works, including dance pieces like "Eccentric Dance" and "Sad Mood," which gained significant popularity. His contributions to early Soviet jazz are considered pioneering.

Legacy of Alexander Tsfasman

Tsfasman's legacy is marked by his role as a pioneer in Soviet jazz. His work spans from the mid-1920s to the late 1960s, making significant contributions to the genre's development in the USSR. However, the details of his specific works or compositions are not extensively documented in the provided sources. This concert is an opportunity to experience his music firsthand, interpreted by two of today's most talented pianists.