Classical NOW! – To All Alive

A musical friendship 

Pianist and multiple competition winner Antonii Baryshevskyi plays a full-length recital of Shalygin's piano works from a twenty-year period, including the premiere of the complete cycle Fetus Etudes. As a visitor, you step into Shalygin's world in the Palace Church. In the foyer, his favourite music plays in the background. He displays watercolours and collages he makes as a visual artist. And since it is a birthday party, he serves borscht and refreshments. We are all his guests. The concert will also see the festive presentation of the new double CD of his piano works.

Maximalist music and collaboration with Antonii Baryshevskyi

Shalygin's music has featured prominently at Amsterdam's Muziekgebouw in recent seasons. Also during the Minimal Music Festival. But Shalygin says of his music, ‘Prefer to call me maximalist, I am always looking for the maximum of possibilities. I seek boundaries and try to go beyond them. I battle gravity and want to lift people up. Yes, make them fly a bit. That's what music can do.’ For his solo works, he always looks for the Musician with a capital M: ‘someone who has unique technical skills, masters a broad emotional palette, works with an unflappable ethos and likes to be challenged.’

He found his dream pianist in Antonii Baryshevskyi. Their collaboration began 15 years ago at the Kyiv Conservatory and grew into a deep friendship. When Baryshevskyi had to leave Ukraine in 2022 due to the war, Shalygin helped him find his way in the Dutch music scene. During that difficult period, they became even closer and the new series of Fetus Etudes was born.

Antonii Baryshevskyi is an ardent advocate of cutting-edge music. ‘Every classic was once new music,’ says the pianist. ‘As a performer, I want the fascinating compositions of today to be heard. Concertgoers appreciate adventurous concerts.’  A vision that fits seamlessly with the artistic direction of Classical NOW!