Sounds

The Vjola Suite (2005-2008)

The Vjola Suite is a collection of five short musical compositions in contrasting musical styles, heavily influenced by folk music from Eastern Europe, Cuba, Mali, and the Middle East. It is is a collection of lively dances, for which the steps have not yet been choreographed, and represent my attempt to fuse the rhythms of world music with the beautiful colors of a classical ensemble, to create a new kind of dance – elegant, entertaining, and somewhat asymmetrical. While none of the rhythms are genuinely traditional, they aspire to create a new sense of balance, enjoyment, and flight. All but one (Budget Bulgar) were released on my debut recording, Vjola: World on Four Strings as multi-track viola sketches, and then re-imagined for various combinations. The individual movements can be (and often are) performed and purchased separately. To find out more, hear previews, and purchase individual movements, please click on the titles, below. The rest of this page will address the Suite, the sheet music for which is offered at a substantial savings.
AUDIO EXCERPTS:
More info about the individual pieces in detail:	1. Bagel on the Malecon 2. Plume 3. Ori's Fearful Symmetry 4. Crosstown 5. Budget Bulgar
CATEGORY	Chamber music, multi-track viola music
INSTRUMENTATION	-- string trio (violin / viola / cello) -- string quartet (2 violins / viola / cello) + optional bass (For musical reasons, Crosstown is only available in the quartet version.) Individual movements may be available in additional instrumental combinations -- see their pages for more info.
DURATION	18-20 minutes

CLICK TO ORDER & DOWNLOAD:
	Version for String Quartet -- two violins, viola, cello score & parts -- $60
	Version for String Trio -- violin, viola, cello (does not include Crosstown) score & parts -- $50

Budget Bulgar (2005)

take a listen - hear an audio preview:

Budget Bulgar, a fiery klezmer tune, was sketched between playing dance sets at a Russian wedding in western New Jersey, and is dedicated to Pete Sokolow, for many years the king of Jewish weddings in New York, a great klez-stride pianist, and an incredible personality. I propped my cellphone on the hood of a car in the parking lot, and left myself a voicemail with the melody, which I transcribed (and altered) at home.
CATEGORY	Chamber music, band music, tunes
INSTRUMENTATION	Arrangements available: -- string quartet (plus bass) -- string trio -- 1 or 2 clarinets, 3 violins, 1 viola, 2 cellos -- 2 recorders, viola, cello, piano Also available as a jazz "lead sheet". Arrangements for other combinations may be commissioned upon request.
DURATION	2 minutes 40 seconds
WORLD PREMIERE	Om Factory Yoga, New York; June 16 2006
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS	Ljova & the Kontraband: Ljova, viola; Patrick Farrell, accordion; Mike Savino, bass; Mathias Kunzli, percussion
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES	Brooklyn Rider, at Joe's Pub [see video]; Ljova and the Kontraband at Joe's Pub [see video].
RECORDING	Forthcoming release on the debut CD by Ljova and the Kontraband; Recorded by Brooklyn Rider for future release [sign up for updates].
SCORE AVAILABILITY	All arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; lead sheet & bass part available; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info] CLICK TO ORDER & DOWNLOAD: Version for String Quartet -- two violins, viola, cello score & parts -- $15 Version for String Trio -- violin, viola, cello score & parts -- $15
Hear Ljova's original sketch for Budget Bulgar, recorded on his cellphone, at someone's wedding in New Jersey:

Crosstown (2005)

take a listen - hear an audio preview:

CROSSTOWN is a meditative dance, in which I attempted to fuse the delicate rhythms of music from Mali with improvisational colors from India, all sketched aboard a slow ride on a late-night bus in New York city.
CATEGORY	Chamber music, multi-track viola music
INSTRUMENTATION	Original instrumentation: multitrack violas. Arrangements available: -- string quartet (+ bass) Also available as a jazz "lead sheet", which includes a separate sheet for the bass line. Arrangements for other combinations may be commissioned upon request.
DURATION	5-7 minutes, depending on tempo
WORLD PREMIERE	Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, New York; January 5 2008
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS	Brooklyn Rider - Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen, violins; Nicholas Cords, viola; Eric Jacobsen, cello; Jeffrey Beecher, bass; Mark Suter, cajon
RECORDING	Recorded on Ljova's debut CD - Vjola: World on Four Strings[album details]; Recorded by Brooklyn Rider for future release. World premiere performance available on YouTube see video]
SCORE AVAILABILITY	All arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; lead sheet & bass part available; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info] CLICK TO ORDER & DOWNLOAD: Version for String Quartet (+ bass ad lib.) -- two violins, viola, cello score & parts -- $15

Ori's Fearful Symmetry (2005)

take a listen - hear an audio preview:

Ori's Fearful Symmetry was originally intended to be a sort of an unofficial anthem for Israeli youth. I sketched it while hiking in the canyons of Ithaca, New York, where director Zohar Lavi was shooting the short film Chronicle of a Jump, starring our friend Ori. I was hoping this music would become the theme, an inspiring courageous dance in an unusual grouping of 9/8 (3+2+2+2). Alas, it was decided that the film worked better in silence, and the music found an audience of its own.
CATEGORY	Chamber music, multi-track viola music
INSTRUMENTATION	Original instrumentation: multitrack violas. Arrangements available: -- string quartet -- string trio -- lead viola / 2 violins, cello, bass, mandolin, banjo -- 1 or 2 clarinets, 3 violins, viola, 2 cellos Also available as a jazz "lead sheet", which includes a separate sheet for the bass line. Arrangements for other combinations may be commissioned upon request.
DURATION	4 minutes 35 seconds
WORLD PREMIERE	Om Factory Yoga, New York; June 16 2006
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS	Ljova & the Kontraband: Ljova, viola; Patrick Farrell, accordion; Mike Savino, bass; Mathias Kunzli, percussion
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES	Enso String Quartet at venues throughout the US; Brooklyn Rider with Kinan Azmeh at the Angel Orensanz Foundation;
RECORDING	Recorded on Ljova's debut CD - Vjola: World on Four Strings[album details]; Recorded by Brooklyn Rider for future release.
SCORE AVAILABILITY	All arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; lead sheet & bass part available; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info] CLICK TO ORDER & DOWNLOAD: Version for String Quartet -- two violins, viola, cello score & parts -- $15 Version for String Trio -- violin, viola, cello score & parts -- $15

Plume (2005)

take a listen - hear an audio preview:

I sketched "Plume" while my then-girlfriend (and now-wife) was studying at Oxford, and I was listening to the magical voice of Rokia Traore. I tried to create a sensuous music for belly dancing, without actually being very familiar with the genre at the time.
CATEGORY	Chamber music, multi-track viola music
INSTRUMENTATION	Original instrumentation: multitrack violas. Arrangements available: -- string quartet (plus bass) -- string trio -- three violas and bass -- string quartet, bass, two mandolins Also available as a jazz "lead sheet". Arrangements for other combinations may be commissioned upon request.
DURATION	4 minutes 25 seconds
WORLD PREMIERE	Om Factory Yoga, New York; June 16 2006
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS	Ljova & the Kontraband: Ljova, viola; Patrick Farrell, accordion; Mike Savino, bass; Mathias Kunzli, percussion
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES	"Plume" was one of the principal themes for the BBC Documentary "The Team" [more info / trailer]; Brooklyn Rider at Joe's Pub [see video]
RECORDING	Recorded on Ljova's debut CD - Vjola: World on Four Strings[album details]; Recorded by Brooklyn Rider for future release.
SCORE AVAILABILITY	All arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info] CLICK TO ORDER & DOWNLOAD: Version for String Quartet -- two violins, viola, cello score & parts -- $15 Version for String Trio -- violin, viola, cello score & parts -- $15

Bagel on the Malecon (2005)

take a listen - hear an audio preview:

My favorite paradox of Cuban music is that the bass is never "on the beat", while everything else feels groovy and relaxed. In "Bagel on the Malecon", I tried to lift the Cuban "son" grooves from their solid grounding, beyond dancing steps, to a place where the melody and the bass take flight - and memorably, at that. The title is a flight in itself - a utopian fantasy that one day soon, I will be able to enjoy a Bagel - a favorite New York bread creation - on the Malecon, the main boardwalk in Havana, Cuba.
CATEGORY	Chamber music, multi-track viola music
INSTRUMENTATION	Original instrumentation: multitrack violas. Arrangements available: -- string quartet (plus bass) -- string trio -- three violas and bass -- four cellos. Also available as a jazz "lead sheet", which includes a separate sheet for the bass line. Arrangements for other combinations may be commissioned upon request.
DURATION	2 minutes 25 seconds
WORLD PREMIERE	Om Factory Yoga, New York; June 16 2006
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS	Ljova & the Kontraband: Ljova, viola; Patrick Farrell, accordion; Mike Savino, bass; Mathias Kunzli, percussion
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES	Enso String Quartet, at the Library of Congress, and at venues throughout the US. [see video]; Ljova and the Kontraband at Joe's Pub [see video]
RECORDING	Recorded on Ljova's debut CD - Vjola: World on Four Strings[album details], forthcoming release on the debut CD by Ljova and the Kontraband [sign up for updates]
SCORE AVAILABILITY	All arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; lead sheet & bass part available; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info] CLICK TO ORDER & DOWNLOAD: Version for String Quartet -- two violins, viola, cello score & parts -- $15 Version for String Trio -- violin, viola, cello score & parts -- $15
hear Ljova's very first demo sketch of what later became Bagel on the Malecon, with a less developed middle section:

• Performances and Recording Schedule
• Compositions and Arrangements on Tour
• Film Screenings
• Radio/Media Highlights

Performances and Recordings

Current Season

Date	Project	Venue	Location
January 5, 2008	Ljova & the Vjola Contraband, double-bill with the Brooklyn Rider	Joe's Pub	New York, NY
January 19, 2008	Ljova with Romashka at the Zlatne Uste Festival in New York.	Zlatne Uste	New York, NY
January 31, 2008	Ljova and Inna	Private performance at Ljova's parents 30th anniversary	Moscow, Russia
February 23, 2008	Ljova with Romashka!	Drom	New York, NY
March 8, 2008	Ljova and the Kontraband with Rob Kendt!	Barbes	Brooklyn, NY
March 9-15, 2008	Ljova teaching at the Winter Career Development Residency	The Banff Centre	Banff, Canada
April 4, 2008	Ljova as special guest for CD-Release by Alina Simone	Joe's Pub	New York, NY
April 10, 2008	Ljova performing with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas	The Town Hall	New York, NY
April 25-May 3, 2008	Cupcake premieres, featuring music by Ljova, performed by Ljova and the Kontraband	Tribeca Film Festival	New York, NY
May 8, 2008, 1pm	Ljova and the Kontraband	Trinity Wall Street Church (Concerts at One series)	New York, NY
May 10, 2008, 9pm	Ljova and the Kontraband	DROM	New York, NY
May 18, 2008, 12pm	Ljova and the Kontraband	Philadelphia Book Festival	Philadelphia, PA
May 18, 2008, 4pm	Ljova and the Kontraband, double bill with the Yiddish Arts Trio	Princeton Arts Council	Princeton, NJ
June 12-15, 2008	Ljova in collaboration with Freefall Dance Company	WalkerSpace / Joyce SoHo	New York, NY
July 11, 2008	Ljova and the Kontraband	Barbes	Brooklyn, NY

2007

December 7, 2007	World on a String Band	Waltz Astoria	Queens, NY
December 6, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband, World on a String Band and the Luminescent String Orchestrii	Ukranian East Village Restaurant	New York, NY
November 28, 2007	Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra)	Kennedy Center	Washington, DC
November 25, 2007	Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra)	Sala Nezahualcoyotl, UNAM	Mexico City, Mexico
November 24, 2007	Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra)	Palacio de Belles Artes	Mexico City, Mexico
November 20, 2007	Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra)	>Myerson Symphony Center	Dallas, TX
November 15, 2007	Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra)	NYU Skirball Center	New York, NY
November 10, 2007	Ljova with Percusia	Queens Library	Queens, NY
November 7, 2007	Ljova with World on a String Band	Goodbye Blue Monday	Brooklyn, NY
October 25, 2007	Ljova with Rob Kendt	Googie's Lounge, The Living Room	New York, NY
October 14, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband - double feature with the Parker String Quartet	Barbes	Brooklyn, NY
October 4-7, 2007	Performing in the premiere of Man: Biology of a Fall, an opera by Evan Hause	Kumble Theater	Brooklyn, NY
August 3, 2007	OPEN REHEARSAL with Ljova and Inna and friends	Joe's Pub	New York, NY
August 3, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	Barbes	Brooklyn, NY
July 26, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)	New York, NY
July 12, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	Arium	New York, NY
July 6, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	Philadelphia Art Museum	Philadelphia, PA
June 22, 2007	Ljova with Dawn Upshaw, Osvaldo Golijov, and the Andalucian Dogs	Festival Saint Denis	Paris, France
June 20, 2007	Ljova with the Gustavo Santaolalla and Guests	Festival Saint Denis	Paris, France
June 13, 2007	Ljova with Uli Geissendoerfer and Bangalore Breakdown	German Consulate	New York, NY
June 12, 2007	Ljova with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Paquito D'Rivera	Rose Theatre, Lincoln Center	New York, NY
June 8, 2007	Ljova and the World on a String Band	Banjo Jim's	Lower East Side, NY
June 1, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	BAMCafé, Sundance @ BAM Film Festival	Brooklyn, NY
May 31, 2007 | 2 pm	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	Soundcheck Live	Live Radio appearance on NPR/WNYC, FM 93.39
May 31, 2007 | 6 pm	Ljova with Romashka	TBD	New York, NY
May 22, 2007 | 10 pm	Ljova with the Walter Thompson Soundpainting Orchestra	Bowery Poetry Club	New York, NY
May 21, 2007 | 8 pm	Ljova with the SEM Ensemble	Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall	New York, NY
April 28, 2007	Mahavishnu Project	The Forum Theater	Metuchen, NJ
April 26, 2007	Ljova with Ingrid Gordon and Demetrius Spaneas	The Stone	New York, NY
April 19, 2007	Ljova with Uli Geissendoerfer + Group	The Stone	New York, NY
April 21, 2007	Mahavishnu Project	Makor	New York, NY
April 20, 2007	Mahavishnu Project	IMAC Theater	Huntington, NY
April 19, 2007	Ljova with Uli Geissendoerfer	The Stone	New York, NY
March 27, 2007	Ljova plays with Kate Havnevik	Hotel Cafe	Los Angeles, CA
March 22, 2007	Ljova plays with Kate Havnevik	Joe's Pub	New York, NY
March 17, 2007	Ljova performs "Long Island Sound" with Ensemble 212	Good Shepherd Church	New York, NY
March 8, 2007	Ljova and the Vjola Contraband	Barbes	Brooklyn, NY
Feb. 27, 2007	Recording Ljova's original score for Michael DiPaolo's film
Dec 13, 2006	Ljova with Inna Barmash (vocals) and David Yengibarjan (accordion) - original and folk music	Spinoza Haz	Budapest, Hungary
Dec 11, 2006	Kate Havnevnik, Guy Sigsworth	The Regal Room	London, UK
Nov 17-Dec 1, 2006	Assistant Composer and Recording for Francis Ford Coppola's film "Youth without Youth"		Bucharest, Romania
Nov 15, 2006	"Ayre" with Dawn Upshaw and the Andalucian Dogs  (cancelled)	The New Crown Festival	Vienna, Austria
Sep 20-27, 2006	Jay-Z rehearsals and show	Royal Albert Hall	London, UK
Aug 22, 2006	Vjola Contraband	Barbes	Brooklyn, NY
Aug 8, 2006	Vjola Lounge Duo	JCC	New York, NY
Jul 21, 2006	Improvisations with Clifton	5C Cultural Center	New York, NY
Jul 20, 2006	Chassidic Jazz Project with Reuben Hoch	Makor	New York, NY
July 12, 2006	Ljova & Vjola Contraband	Joe's Pub	New York, NY
Jul 9, 2006	Soundpainting	Bowery Poetry Club	New York, NY
Jun 30, 2006	Theatro Slovak	Galapagos	Brooklyn, NY
Jun 21-25, 2006	Jay-Z rehearsals and show New York, NY	Radio City Hall	New York, NY
Jun 16, 2006	Vjola Contraband	OMFactory	New York, NY
Jun 8, 2006	Mexican American Orchestra	Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center	New York, NY
May 27, 2006	Soundpainting Recording Session
May 7, 2006	Romashka at Tubapalooza	Zebulon Concert Cafe	Brooklyn, NY
May 5, 2006	Cassis Recording
Mar 24, 2006	Ljova with Patrick Farrell (accordion), Sarah Alden (violin)	5C Cultural Center	New York, NY
Mar 14, 2006	Ljova with Patrick Farrell (accordion), Sarah Alden (violin)	Via Della Pace	New York, NY
Mar 3, 2006	Romashka	Philadelphia Museum of Art	Philadelphia, PA
Dec 7 and 9, 2005	Ljova in string trio with Donovan	The Concert Hall at the New York Society for Ethical Culture	New York

Compositions and Arrangements on Tour

• The Enso Quartet performs Ljova's "Bagel on the Malecon" on tour in 2006-2007. Watch YouTube video of Enso Quartet's performance of "Bagel on the Malecon" at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
• The Kronos Quartet is performing arrangements on their tours since 2005. Check out their current season page for details about upcoming concerts near you.
• Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project is performing Ljova's arrangements since 2004. Check out their current season schedule for details about upcoming concerts near you.
• Bowfire performing Ljova's arrangement of the Khachaturian Sabre Dance since 2004. Check out the performance online, or visit their current season schedule for details about upcoming concerts near you.
• The Brooklyn Rider String Quartet performs Ljova's works on select performances in New York and on tour.

Film Screenings

please see Ljova's filmography

Radio and Media Highlights

WNYC/NPR Soundcheck Live with John Schaefer (May 31, 2007 - 2pm) [Listen to a podcast of this show!]

Something new -- a thus-far unfinished soundtrack to a silent short film. The co-directors have asked me to revise it yet again, but I really like this version best.

Thus, I share it with you. The film should be hopefully making the festival rounds soon.

Grab the MP3 here and Enjoy!
LESS

Best,

Ljova

Please login to download :

Username:

Password:

(Photos ©Eva Giatas / Evagiatas.com)

---

LJOVA AND KONTRABAND (formerly Ljova & the Vjola Contraband) -- is chamber-jam music for the "remix generation". As if by alchemy, Eastern-European and Gypsy melodies, Latin rhythms, Jazz-inspired improvisations, and deeply rooted Classical forms are given new meanings. Founded by the maverick film composer, arranger, and violist Lev 'LJOVA' Zhurbin --- hailed by Billboard magazine as "one of New York's fastest rising composers and instrumentalists" -- the ensemble also features his close collaborators on vocals, accordion, bass and percussion. Inspired by his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Osvaldo Golijov, the Kronos Quartet, the rapper Jay-Z and others, Ljova's compositions dazzle with intricate textures, odd rhythms and lilting melodies, creating music that is both fresh and timeless. The Kontraband is finishing up their debut CD, slated for release in fall 2008. For booking inquiries, please contact booking@Ljova.com.

UPCOMING DATES:

May 8, 2008	Trinity Wall Street Church, New York	[watch the webcast!]
May 10, 2008	DROM / East Village, NYC [buy tickets here -- no service charge!]	[more info]
May 18, 2008, 12pm	Philadelphia Book Festival, Philadelphia PA	[more info]
May 18, 2008, 4pm	Princeton Arts Council, Princeton NJ - double bill with the Yiddish Arts Trio	[info soon]
July 11, 2008, 8pm	Barbes, Brooklyn NY	[info soon]

REVIEWS:

• This eclectic violist's music is anything but plain folk by Justin Davidson, Newsday



"Quick, name a violist, any violist! [There is] nobody quite like the polymath Lev ['Ljova'] Zhurbin...The music he writes and plays is full of Brahmsian tone, Bartók lines, hiccupping Hungarian rhythms, Klezmer soul and the sexy plaintiveness of tango and the blues." >> [More]




• "richly textured palette featuring Eastern European and Gypsy melodies beautifully offset by Latin-tinged rhythms"
  --New Yorker




• "Ljova and the Kontraband play genre-defying music beautifully and soulfully. Organically bringing together influences ranging from classical and new music, klezmer, tango, jazz, Gypsy music and more, their music is smartly original, steeped in tradition while moving those traditions forward. Ljova is also a savvy promoter who continually demonstrates that independent artists can effectively use new models of music distribution and social networking to bring their music to the public on their own terms."
  --Bill Bragin, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City




• Swinging Violas by Alexander Gelfand, Jazziz



"...This past January, the Russian-born, New York City-based violist Ljova and his Vjola Contraband drew a full house at Joe's Pub in Manhattan, forcing fans to stand three-deep at the room's swanky, dimly lit bar. Rarely have I seen so many young, attractive people pay to hear a band with no less than two violists not to mention an accordion player, an acoustic bassist, and a percussionist who bears a striking resemblance to Sideshow Bob....

The off-kilter rhythms he favors recall the asymmetrical dance beats of central and southeastern Europe, where time signatures tend to look like hat sizes (7/8, 13/8, 15/16). They tug and pull at you in strange and mysterious ways, as do Ljova's melodies, which have the tuneful, emotive quality of good pop.">> [More]

AUDIO & VIDEO:

Ljova and the Vjola Contraband, Live at Joe's Pub

LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND is:

-- Ljova (viola)
-- Inna Barmash (vocal)
-- Patrick Farrell (accordion)
-- Mathias Kunzli (percussion)
-- Mike Savino (bass)

Special Guests:
-- Taylor Bergren-Chrisman (bass)
-- Mike Block (cello)
-- Uli Geissendoerfer (piano)
-- Sarah Darling (viola)
-- Parker String Quartet
-- Reuben Radding (bass)
-- Marcus Rojas (tuba)
-- Rich Stein (percussion)
-- Ronn Yedidia (accordion)

PAST DATES:

March 8, 2008 - BARBES (with special guest Rob Kendt)
January 5, 2008 - JOE'S PUB (New York, NY) - double bill with Brooklyn Rider
December 6, 2007 - Ukrainian National Home Restaurant - triple bill with the Luminescent Orchestrii, and the World on a String Band
October 14, 2007 - BARBES (Brooklyn, NY) - double bill with the Parker String Quartet
August 11, 2007 - JOE'S PUB (New York, NY)
August 3, 2007 - BARBES (Brooklyn, NY)
July 26, 2007 - Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Sculpture Garden (New York, NY)
July 12, 2007 - ARIUM(Meatpacking district, NYC)
July 6, 2007 - Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA)
June 1, 2007 - BAMCafé, Brooklyn Academy of Music. Opening musical act of the Sundance Film Festival @BAM.
May 31, 2007 - Radio: WNYC'S Soundcheck with John Schaefer - [Recording of the show]
March 8, 2007 - BARBES (Brooklyn, NY)
January 17, 2007 - JOE'S PUB (New York, NY) - double bill with Romashka
August 22, 2006 - BARBES (Brooklyn, NY)
July 12, 2006 - JOE'S PUB (New York, NY) - double bill with the Luminescent String Orchestrii
June 16, 2006 - at the OM FACTORY (New York, NY)

THREE WAYS TO ORDER:

$14.99

$9.99 (instant download)

$16.49

New Yorkers can also pick up a copy at Other Music and Downtown Music Gallery.
...or call 1-800-BUY-MY-CD to order by phone!

THIS IS IT! FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING! The long-awaited debut release of maverick composer, arranger, and violist Ljova (Lev Zhurbin) draws on a multitude of cross-cultural influences, and is performed almost exclusively on multi-tracked viola. In addition to a busy career as a performer and film composer, Ljova is a frequent collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project, the Kronos Quartet, Osvaldo Golijov, as well as many independent artists. From blues to Bjork, to Latin and Gypsy dances, to a nostalgic Russian street-waltz (featuring Michael Ward-Bergeman on accordion), Ljova transcends the boundaries of his instrument. Using inventive improvisation and arranging techniques, his compositions dazzle with intricate textures, odd rhythms and lilting melodies, creating music that is both fresh and timeless.

==>Listen to a podcast about VJOLA: WORLD ON FOUR STRINGS from NPR's "Weekend America" and host Anastasia Tsioulcas!

PREVIEW and TRACK LISTING:

1. Central Park in the Dark
2. Bagel on the Malecon
3. O'er
4. Plume
5. Ori's Fearful Symmetry
6. Coffee + Rum
7. Middle Village
8. Army of Me
9. Garmoshka (featuring Michael Ward-Bergeman on accordion)
10. Crosstown
11. Seltzer, Do I Drink Too Much?
12. Four
13. Collage
14. Breadbasket Blues
15. Spring Valley Sunset

REVIEWS:

====>See complete reviews here
This self-released debut recording from 27-year-old Russian-born Lev Zhurbin (aka Ljova), one of New York's fastest-rising composers and instrumentalists, is something special... Ljova continually delights
---Anastasia Tsioulcas, Billboard (July 22, '06)

[Ljova] is an cclectic with an ear for texture...Throaty melodies supported by pizzicato rhythms, lush choral figures and counterpoint.
---Allan Kozinn, NEW YORK TIMES Arts & Leisure, August 13, 2006 (Review of VJOLA)

Best of June 2006 New Releases
---John Schaefer, host of WNYC's New Sounds and Soundcheck

Rustic dances and evocative soundscapes, all crafted from ... the gorgeously grainy purr of his fiddle.
---Steve Smith, Time Out New York (July 6-12, '06)

Extraordinarily talented and versatile musician
---Yo-Yo Ma, cellist

Proves that an integration between seemingly different cultures is possible, inevitable, and fruitable
---Osvaldo Golijov, composer

Please login to peruse the Filmmaker demo page:

Username: *

Enter your LJOVA (Lev Zhurbin) - film composer, arranger, violist username.

Password: *

Enter the password that accompanies your username.

	VJOLA: WORLD ON FOUR STRINGS -- Ljova's debut album! "This album is a travelogue of sorts, though most journeys didn’t take me much further than the Island of Manhattan. It is a dedication to the ever-changing neighborhoods of New York City, its diverse cultures, and of course its illustrious musicians, from whom I draw much of my inspiration. Everything you hear on this album (with the exception of Michael's accordion on "Garmoshka", and the synth bass on "Breadbasket Blues") was recorded by myself on a viola. Each instrumental part was recorded separately, one after the other, and most arrangements were improvised from rough sketches. The choice of using viola as a multi-track instrument was as much artistic as it was a matter of convenience – the ensemble was cheap, hungry for a new sound, and very much of a similar mind. I hope you’ll enjoy the music and the journey!" B Buy your copy here!
	Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble -- "New Impossibilities" - The third release from Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, featuring music by Rabih Abou-Khalil, Osvaldo Golijov, Sandeep Das, Zhou Long, and others, as well as The Silent City, composed by Kayhan Kalhor and arranged by Ljova. Get your copy today at Amazon.com!
	MATMOS: The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast - The latest from hyper-innovative SF-based duo Matmos consists of ten aural and visual portraits of famous people such as Valerie Solanas (shot Andy Warhol), Larry Levan ('80s NYC dance DJ), Darby Crash (singer of punk group The Germs), King Ludwig II (mad, last ruler of Bavaria), James Bidgood ('60s gay porn director), William S. Burroughs (beat author), and many more. Accompanying each musical portrait is a visual one, commissioned by the band, by artists ranging from Dan Clowes to Adam Ansell to Jason Mecier. Various accompanists include Antony of Antony & The Johnsons, The Kronos Quartet, Bjork, Jay Lesser, and more... and featuring Ljova's string arrangement on "Solo Buttons for Joe Meek"! Get your copy today at Amazon.com!
	AYRE - featuring original songs and folk music arrangements by Osvaldo Golijov, Gustavo Santaolalla and Luciano Berio. Performed by Dawn Upshaw and the Andalucian Dogs (featuring: Tara O’Connor, flute • David Krakauer, clarinet • Jamie Sommerville, horn • Ljova, viola • Erik Friedlander, violoncello • Mark Dresser, double bass • Bridget Kibbey, harp • Michael Ward-Bergeman, hyper-accordion • Gustavo Santaolalla, guitar/ronroco • Jamie Haddad, percussion • Jeremy Flower, sound design & laptop) Nominated for the 2005 Grammy Awards! Get your copy at Amazon.com!
	Presqu'ile - a collection of 12 original songs by Angus Martin and arrangements in French, Spanish, Italian, and Haitian Creole. Featuring (among others) Marta Topferova (vocals & percussion), Ljova (viola), Jenny Scheinman (fiddle), Kenny Kozol (drums), Chris Komer (French horn) and Yulia Musayelyan (flute). Get your copy at CDBaby!
	You've Stolen My Heart - Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood - featuring Asha Bhosle, the Kronos Quartet, Wu Man and Zakir Hussain -- as well as transcriptions from the original Bollywood recordings by Ljova. A very special treat! Nominated for the 2005 Grammy Awards! Get your copy at Amazon.com!
	Fragments - Assif Tsahar and the New York Underground Orchestra. Improvised new music, featuring a terrific ensemble, and several solos by Ljova. Get your copy at Squidco!
	Silk Road Journeys: Beyond The Horizon - Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble present their second CD of collaborations between musicians of the Silk Road. Included here is music from Iran, China, Armenia, Azerbaijan, India and Turkey. Featuring two arrangements by Ljova as well as his major label debut on viola. Nominated for the 2005 Grammy Awards! Get your copy at Amazon.com!
	With Love: -- Ljova's third collaboration in the Easy-Listening mode with Cayman Islands-based pianist George Davidson. More tunes you "know and love", and a few others you probably do not. Selections from Clayderman's repetoire, Morricone, and an original by George where Ljova accompanies in his signature multitrack style. Samples and info can be found at George's site.
	Heavenly Lullabies: A collection of peaceful lullabies, perfect for all children. Ljova joins a list of many talanted + celebrated musicians, and performs here with his long-time collaborator, pianist George Davidson. All proceeds from the sale of this CD benefit the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. Listen to mp3 samples and order the CD here.
	SOHEIL NASSERI plays Yedidia, Zhurbin and Zyman. This debut recording by dazzling pianist Soheil Nasseri features the premiere recording of Ljova's "Sicilienne" in an arrangement for piano solo. This CD "single" also includes works by Ronn Yedidia and Samuel Zyman. Get your copy for only $5 at Soheil's website!
	"ALLURE" -- with George Davidson (piano) and Ljova (viola). Another CD of beautiful melodies and peaceful arrangements, which includes an original tune by George, and another tune which George and Ljova wrote together.  A truly wonderful album.  Hear samples and buy it at Amazon.com.
	Alexander Zhurbin - An Attempt of Self-Portrait - includes performances by a wide array of artists (among them Ljova on viola, his father, and Ljova's mother singing!)   Recorded "Live" in a NYC studio.  Currently unavailable, please check back soon!
	"Twin Strings II" - with George Davidson (piano), Eugenio Leon (Paraguayian Harp) and Ljova (viola) A relaxing collection of popular ballads and original tunes.  George is a very original artist in terms of his extremely free use of rhythm and a very "flowery" approach to piano playing. Ljova adds warmth with subtle viola background improvisations. See a tracklist and order at Amazon.com.

==> Please request Film / TV-related music samples here. <==

FEATURES

SERPENT'S BREATH (aka DEATH DESIRE) (80 min.) dir. Michael P. DiPaolo [Watch the trailer!]
THE TEAM (90 min., documentary) dir. James Marsh and Basia Winograd, produced by the BBC [Watch the trailer on YouTube!]
MOTHER (80 min.) dir. Michael P. DiPaolo [Watch the trailer!]
DADDY (85 min.) dir. Michael P. DiPaolo [Watch the trailer!]

DOCUMENTARIES

THE TEAM (90 min.) dir. James Marsh and Basia Winograd, produced by the BBC [Watch the trailer on YouTube!]
SILK ROAD 2005 (10-part TV series), produced by NHK in Japan
soundtrack featuring music and arrangements by Zhao JiPing, Kayhan Kalhor, Sandeep Das, Ljova, Shane Shanahan and others, performed by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. (Soundtrack CD on Sony Classical)
THREE SOLDIERS (80 min.) dir. Shailly Agnihotri, produced by the IFP. (main title and underscore)
FINGERPRINTS (16 min.) - Documentary for HIAS - dir. Andrei Zagdansky

SHORTS

CUPCAKE (9m) dir. Sean McPhillips (coming to 2008 Tribeca Film Festival - see details)
NEW PEOPLE IN SIX DAYS (10m) dir. Gregory Stuart Edwards [Watch on Google Video!]
SPLEEN (11m) dir. Gregory Stuart Edwards [Watch on MySpace!]
DEAR LEMON LIMA (10m) dir. Suzi Yoonessi
UN PEU MOINS (A Little Less) (6 minutes) dir. Dónal Ó'Céilleachair and Konstantin Bojanov
DINNER AT MARVIN'S (6m., animation) dir. Jane Nechayevsky [Watch online!]
GARDENING TIPS FOR HOUSEWIVES (14 min.) dir. Jessica Weigmann
(Best Short Film, 2004 Gen Art Film Festival)
THE PLAYGROUND (a.k.a. CONTAGIOUS) (12 min.) dir. Alison Marek
RED WAGON (13 min.) dir. Alison Marek [Watch on Google video
THE DYING COLOR (15 min.) dir. Jackie Stone
ELTON FICTION (10 min.) dir.  Daniel Marracino
LA LIBERTE! (10 min.) dir. Ken Webb
UN LECCION (8m.) dir. Olga Rozanova
LIFE'S LINES (33 min.) - dir. Prudence Zdravkovic
POTATO ON 23RD STREET (5 min.)  dir. Tarun Shetty
AN OPEN POSITION(20 min.)  dir. Michael Manese
THIS MODERN LOVE (6 min.)  dir. Andrew Koenig  [screen online!}

AS ASSISTANT / ORCHESTRATOR

YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH (121 min.) dir. Francis Ford Coppola (Additional orchestrations and music preparation; Additional Music ("Middle Village"); Assistant to Osvaldo Golijov) [Trailer coming soon!]
THE FOUNTAIN (96 min.) dir. Darren Aronofsky (Score Transcriber) [Watch the trailers!]

1. Debut CD | 2. Film Composer Demo

1. CD
Preview four tracks from Ljova's debut CD --
VJOLA: World on Four Strings

1. Bagel On The Malecon
2. Plume
3. Ori's Fearful Symmetry
4. Garmoshka - featuring Michael Ward-Bergeman on accordion

ORDER your copy of Ljova's Debut CD here!

2. Film Composer Demo

Two teaser samples/medleys:
1. Sad and Lonely
2. Up

To be granted access to the full online demo area (featuring downloadable full-length mp3s), or to receive a demo CD by mail, please inquire here.

What does "LJOVA" mean?

Hailed by Billboard Magazine as "one of New York's fastest-rising composers and instrumentalists", LJOVA (Lev Zhurbin) stands at the forefront of his generation as the premiere bridge between the world's musical cultures. Ljova was born in 1978 in Moscow, Russia, and moved to New York with his parents, composer Alexander Zhurbin and writer Irena Ginzburg, in 1990. He divides his time between performing as a violist in diverse groups ranging from his own LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND, to string quartets, jazz combos and Gypsy bands; studying and arranging music for Yo-Yo Ma, the Kronos Quartet, Jay-Z and others; and composing original music for film, TV, theatre and the concert stage.

Ljova is the author of more than 70 compositions for classical, jazz, and folk ensembles, as well as scores to three feature and over a dozen short films. He is co-founder of Mediant Music, a new company specializing in music for advertising and media. In 2005, Ljova was one of six composers invited to participate in the Sundance Institute's Film Composers Lab. In 2007, Ljova worked as assistant to composer Osvaldo Golijov on his score to Francis Ford Coppola’s film “Youth Without Youth”, to which Ljova also contributed an original track, “Middle Village.” Most recently, Ljova was as guest faculty at the Banff Centre in Canada.

As an arranger, Ljova has completed dozens of musical arrangements for Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, the Kronos Quartet, the rapper Jay-Z, Bond, Matmos, and others. Resulting from these collaborations are arrangements of musics from Azerbaijian, China, India, Iran, Japan, Russia, Tanzania, as well as gypsy music from Romania and France.

Ljova has recently released his acclaimed debut recording, VJOLA: WORLD ON FOUR STRINGS, featuring original and traditional music, on Kapustnik Records. Previously, he has recorded with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble on the bestselling Sony Classical CD "Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon", and with The Andalucian Dogs on the Deutsche Grammophon CD "Ayre", featuring the music of Luciano Berio and Osvaldo Golijov. He has performed on tour with Savion Glover, and recorded with composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, producer Guy Sigsworth and the Electric Light Orchestra.

Ljova grew up in a household filled with music, books and an unquenchable hunger for culture. His father, Alexander Zhurbin, is Russia's foremost composer for film and musical theatre; his mother, Irena Ginzburg, is a distinguished poet, writer and journalist. He began violin lessons at age four with Galina Turchaninova, a celebrated pedagogue who also taught violinists Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin. When not practicing, the pre-teen Ljova regularly overran his record player and played street hockey.

Ljova is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he was a pupil of Samuel Rhodes (violist of the Juilliard String Quartet). He has won numerous prizes as a composer, and appeared several times as soloist with orchestras, including as a winner of the Menschenkinderpreis from RTL TV (Germany).

In addition to a busy career as a composer and arranger, Ljova maintains a rigorous performing schedule as a violist. He can be heard most often his ensemble LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND, the Gypsy party band ROMASHKA, the viola/cello duo JOINT CUSTODY, with Walter Thompson's SP4TET, as well as many other freelance groups and projects. Ljova performs on a viola made by Alexander Tulchinsky, and a six-string hybrid made by Eric Aceto.

For the latest news, downloadable mp3s and CD releases, please visit Ljova's website at Ljova.com

Ljova loves student films!

WHAT DOES "LJOVA" MEAN?

"dunno if that's a first name or a surname but it's all we've got to go on" (from a CD review in Paris Transatlantic)

Quite simply, Ljova (pronounced L'yova) is the Russian "informal" version of the name Lev, similar to what Danny is to Daniel. In its own turn, Lev has many meanings: in Russian it means "Lion"; in Hebrew it means "heart"; in Bulgaria it is the national currency (i.e. The Lev); and in Slovenia it's a Hotel. It is also the name of my grandfather, Lev Ginzburg. Furthermore, my other grandfather, grandmother, father -- and yours truly -- were all born in the "Lion" part of August.

However Ljova has no apparent wide-ranging meaning as far as I know.

back to the bio