Alexey Shabalin – Three B’s: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms

Join us for an evening of timeless masterpieces to benefit the UNITED and UNITED Music School featuring works by three of the greatest composers in classical music history – Bach, Beethoven and Brahms – presented by Alexey Shabalin, violin, and Diana Mukusheva, piano.

     Program:

     J.S. Bach – Sonata for Violin and Clavier in C minor, BWV 1017
     L. van Beethoven – Romance in F Major, Op. 40
     J. Brahms – Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

ABOUT ALEXEY SHABALIN

Alexey Shabalin has served as the Music Director and Symphony Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestras since 2003, leading the ensemble to distinguished performances, including appearances at Carnegie Hall in 2005 and 2017.

A dedicated educator, Shabalin has been a faculty member at several prestigious institutions, including Brown University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Providence College, Rhode Island College, and currently, the University of Rhode Island. His commitment to shaping the next generation of musicians has earned him widespread respect in both the academic and orchestral communities.

 Alexey Shabalin graduated with honors from the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied with Professors Igor Besrodny and Alexander Melkinov. In 1991, he won third prize in the Soviet National String Quartet Competition and was a semifinalist in the International Shostakovich Chamber Music Competition.  

From 1992 to 1996, Shabalin toured with the internationally renowned Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra under the legendary Yuri Bashmet. Performing in 32 countries and on the world’s most prestigious stages, he was part of an ensemble celebrated for its artistic excellence. In 1995, he played the solo violin part in only the second-ever performance of Mozart’s newly unearthed Triple Concerto, marking a moment of historical significance. His exceptional artistry was further recognized when he was entrusted with performing on a priceless Stradivarius violin owned by the Russian government. As a member of the Moscow Soloists, he contributed to numerous critically acclaimed recordings on RCA Red Seal, Sony Classical, and Philips, collaborating with some of the world’s most revered musicians, including Mstislav Rostropovich, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Gidon Kremer, and Sviatoslav Richter.

Since moving to the United States in 1996, Shabalin has remained an active and sought-after musician, performing with leading orchestras, chamber ensembles, and festivals across New England and beyond. 

ABOUT DIANA MUKUSHEVA

Diana’s musical journey began at the age of six when she was accepted into a prestigious State school for gifted musicians in the Republic of Kazakhstan, then part of the former Soviet Union. Over the course of an inspiring eleven years, she immersed herself in a rich world of music, participating in numerous cultural events, concerts, festivals, and competitions. 

After graduating with honors, Diana pursued her passion further, earning a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the State Conservatory. 

In 2010, she embarked on a new chapter of her life in the United States, where she has devoted herself to sharing her love for music through teaching, performing both as a soloist and in ensembles, and continuing to explore her artistry. 

In 2021, Diana discovered a deep interest in historic instruments performing and began studying at Boston Organ Studio under Christian Lane. Her journey into this new realm of music now continues with organ and harpsichord studies under Peter Sykes. Additionally, she is delving into the fascinating world of 16th-century composition through her studies with Cody Forrest. 

Diana’s lifelong dedication to music remains as vibrant as ever, as she continues to learn, explore, and inspire others with her artistry.