A bit of History
MAZAIKA was formed in 1997 and now travels the world, giving concerts and cabaret performances in the theatre, on cruise ships and at Music Festivals throughout U.K. and mainland Europe. Their performances include Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Rheingau Music Festival in Germany, the Annual Accordion Festival of Chartres, the Festival of St Agreve in France, the Festival of Sa'Nostra in Majorca, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and The Edinburgh Festival. [2004] They have given three sellout performances with their Russian/Gypsy band Mazaika Plus at the Purcell Room on London's South Bank. They have also performed at other London venues including Conway hall and Bush Hall. The Duo have given two successful concert tours of the U.S.A. and next are planned for February 2006
SARAH HARRISON [England] trained as a classical violinist at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. Extensive travels have enabled her to perfect many other musical styles including East European Gypsy, Argentine Tango, Bluegrass and Huasteca. She has worked with Django Bates and Delightful Precipice, The Folk Orchestra (now Orbestra), Charanga Rivera and the Marianne Olyver Gypsy Orchestra.
Sarah has also appeared widely in the theatre, including two tours with Lumiere & Son, a run with Fascinating Aida at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, and at the National Theatre. She leads a string quartet The Picasso Players which also extends to an accordion quintet on occasions. She gave a concert of works by Fritz Kreisler and contemporaries at the Purcell room with pianist Howard Beach in May 2003 .
---ooOoo---
IGOR OUTKINE.[Russia] studied classical accordion in Elektrostal's music college and traditional singing in Gnesin Institute in Moskow. He performed extensively with top folk groups and with the Rozovsky Theatre of Moscow. He came to London in 1990 with the gypsy band Loyko and has continued to perform the music of his homeland in varies venues.
In 1996 he met violinist Sarah Harrison and shortly after Mazaika duo was burn, which became his main priority in music-making. Their performance at The Edinburgh Festival last year was given five stars by The Three Weeks Review.
He has recently joined the Antonio Forcione Quartet and has appeared with them at the Edinburgh Festival and at WOMAD last summer [2004].
He has appeared in Almeida Theatre in London with Soft Cell's lead singer Marc Almond (live DVD is out now)
He is also in demand for film and recording sessions (he has played on several major film soundtracks) and has appeared several times on UK's T.V.
Igor has toured the U.S with his duo Mazaika twice and another tour is planned for July 2005. They also perform concerts and festivals throughout Britain and Europe.
His band Mazaika Plus has appeared several times at the Purcell Room at London's South Bank Centre.
Igor's vocal and instrumental repertoire covers an extremely wide range of music such as Classical and Opera, Neapolitan song, Argentinean and Russian Tango, Jazz and Pop.
REVIEWS AND TESTEMONIES
"My current black dog depression was fired by a concert I went to in London the other night that was guaranteed, according to the poster, to transport me from the fairytale snow-covered Russian steppes to the glow of a gypsy campfire, from opera house to Parisian café, an evening of magic and passion. And so it did...
... The artistes I went to see at the Conway Hall in Red Lion Square, behind Holborn, were a Russian tenor called Igor Outkine and his English wife Sarah who plays the violin. They were fantastic. They played Neapolitan love songs and Russian tangos which made you either want to weep or else leap up from your hard metal stacking chair, fling your sensible winter coat to the wind and dance....
... Sarah, the violinist, looked dazzling in a long white slinky evening gown and a red rose in her dark hair. Bring back glamour someone, quick".
Sue Arnold - The Independent Review 12 February 2005
"Sheer heaven - stirring, passionate and highly entertaining."
[jrw] tw rating 5/5 The Three Weeks review from the Edinburgh Festival 2004.
'a lovely tenor voice....their violinist Sarah Harrison plays so fast that she gasps like an exhausted sprinter after each dizzy riff....... By the end of the evening, the Purcell Room had become a tavern.' Michael Church in The Independent.
"An exceptional accordionistan accordion played at the highest level and a violinist whose originality is equalled only by the talent of the two..a voice that comes to us from the depths of Russia"
L'Echo de St. Agreve
"Brilliant, enchanting.Igor Outkine's playing had such presence that it could almost have been mistaken for a whole orchestra, and his vocal performance was equally impressive..the versatility, inventiveness and knowing audacity of the violinist Sarah Harrison are not something I will quickly forget."
By kind permission of the Journal of Hounslow & Heathrow Synagogue in London
"Mazaika's concert was, in a word, magnificent! Their performance will leave us with a lovely memory ." Tom Richards, ARTS at the Arches, Attleboro MA, Presenter.
"I have seen many concerts over the years, but nothing as original, vibrant
and fascinating as yours! Thank you!" Jane Barsumian, audience member in Pennsylvania.
"I am seventy five years old and I have never enjoyed myself as much at any other concert Even my German hasband smiled ." audience member in Xenia ,Ohio.
"You will find some real gold here...truly remarkable....I enjoyed his (Igor's) playing and love his singing, but when Sarah played the violin...oohhhh...heaven. That woman can play the violin! I was mesmerized with her playing. The phrasing and technique were impeccable. And the duet played in perfect counterpoint to each other. They were having so much fun together it was infectious." Robert Karl Berta, The Free-Reed Review.
"Consummate musicianship, brilliant showmanship and international elan....no group has ever stirred so much enthusiasm for our series as did Mazaika." James Rogers, Music on High Performing Arts Series, Suffield CT, Presenter.
"A big hit! A full house of enthusiastic people...still mentioning how much they enjoyed Mazaika a week later." Peggy Krewson, Nantucket Arts Council, Presenter.
"To say we were pleased with Mazaika is a gross understatement. Theirs was the best concert we've had in our ten year history - and we have had some great performers! Artistically, they were superb. And their rapport with the audience is just delightful. Our audience nearly went crazy and gave them a lengthy standing ovation at intermission! Sarah's technical artistry is almost unbelievable. Igor is wonderful - not only a great artist but a real showman. They are absolutely a presenter's dream. Presenters, you can't do better than this."
Catherine Barnes, Arts under the Dome, Gulfport MS, Presenter.
'an excellent programme!'
Alan Tavener
Director of Music, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.mazaika-music.com
Track List:
1. Two Guitars
2. Along the Street
3. Turquise Rings
4. Czardas
5. Tell Me Why
6. My Marusechka
7. Lark
8. Cosack's Dream
9. Carusel
10. I Will Recognaise My Sweet Heat By the Sroll
11. Sirba
12. Moon Shine
13. What Is Sorrow to Me
14. Ziguenerweisen
15. Kalinka
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
MAZAIKA was formed in 1997 and now travels the world, giving concerts and cabaret performances in the theatre, on cruise ships and at Music Festivals throughout U.K. and mainland Europe. Their performances include Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Rheingau Music Festival in Germany, the Annual Accordion Festival of Chartres, the Festival of St Agreve in France, the Festival of Sa'Nostra in Majorca, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and The Edinburgh Festival. [2004] They have given three sellout performances with their Russian/Gypsy band Mazaika Plus at the Purcell Room on London's South Bank. They have also performed at other London venues including Conway hall and Bush Hall. The Duo have given two successful concert tours of the U.S.A. and next are planned for February 2006
SARAH HARRISON [England] trained as a classical violinist at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. Extensive travels have enabled her to perfect many other musical styles including East European Gypsy, Argentine Tango, Bluegrass and Huasteca. She has worked with Django Bates and Delightful Precipice, The Folk Orchestra (now Orbestra), Charanga Rivera and the Marianne Olyver Gypsy Orchestra.
Sarah has also appeared widely in the theatre, including two tours with Lumiere & Son, a run with Fascinating Aida at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, and at the National Theatre. She leads a string quartet The Picasso Players which also extends to an accordion quintet on occasions. She gave a concert of works by Fritz Kreisler and contemporaries at the Purcell room with pianist Howard Beach in May 2003 .
---ooOoo---
IGOR OUTKINE.[Russia] studied classical accordion in Elektrostal's music college and traditional singing in Gnesin Institute in Moskow. He performed extensively with top folk groups and with the Rozovsky Theatre of Moscow. He came to London in 1990 with the gypsy band Loyko and has continued to perform the music of his homeland in varies venues.
In 1996 he met violinist Sarah Harrison and shortly after Mazaika duo was burn, which became his main priority in music-making. Their performance at The Edinburgh Festival last year was given five stars by The Three Weeks Review.
He has recently joined the Antonio Forcione Quartet and has appeared with them at the Edinburgh Festival and at WOMAD last summer [2004].
He has appeared in Almeida Theatre in London with Soft Cell's lead singer Marc Almond (live DVD is out now)
He is also in demand for film and recording sessions (he has played on several major film soundtracks) and has appeared several times on UK's T.V.
Igor has toured the U.S with his duo Mazaika twice and another tour is planned for July 2005. They also perform concerts and festivals throughout Britain and Europe.
His band Mazaika Plus has appeared several times at the Purcell Room at London's South Bank Centre.
Igor's vocal and instrumental repertoire covers an extremely wide range of music such as Classical and Opera, Neapolitan song, Argentinean and Russian Tango, Jazz and Pop.
REVIEWS AND TESTEMONIES
"My current black dog depression was fired by a concert I went to in London the other night that was guaranteed, according to the poster, to transport me from the fairytale snow-covered Russian steppes to the glow of a gypsy campfire, from opera house to Parisian café, an evening of magic and passion. And so it did...
... The artistes I went to see at the Conway Hall in Red Lion Square, behind Holborn, were a Russian tenor called Igor Outkine and his English wife Sarah who plays the violin. They were fantastic. They played Neapolitan love songs and Russian tangos which made you either want to weep or else leap up from your hard metal stacking chair, fling your sensible winter coat to the wind and dance....
... Sarah, the violinist, looked dazzling in a long white slinky evening gown and a red rose in her dark hair. Bring back glamour someone, quick".
Sue Arnold - The Independent Review 12 February 2005
"Sheer heaven - stirring, passionate and highly entertaining."
[jrw] tw rating 5/5 The Three Weeks review from the Edinburgh Festival 2004.
'a lovely tenor voice....their violinist Sarah Harrison plays so fast that she gasps like an exhausted sprinter after each dizzy riff....... By the end of the evening, the Purcell Room had become a tavern.' Michael Church in The Independent.
"An exceptional accordionistan accordion played at the highest level and a violinist whose originality is equalled only by the talent of the two..a voice that comes to us from the depths of Russia"
L'Echo de St. Agreve
"Brilliant, enchanting.Igor Outkine's playing had such presence that it could almost have been mistaken for a whole orchestra, and his vocal performance was equally impressive..the versatility, inventiveness and knowing audacity of the violinist Sarah Harrison are not something I will quickly forget."
By kind permission of the Journal of Hounslow & Heathrow Synagogue in London
"Mazaika's concert was, in a word, magnificent! Their performance will leave us with a lovely memory ." Tom Richards, ARTS at the Arches, Attleboro MA, Presenter.
"I have seen many concerts over the years, but nothing as original, vibrant
and fascinating as yours! Thank you!" Jane Barsumian, audience member in Pennsylvania.
"I am seventy five years old and I have never enjoyed myself as much at any other concert Even my German hasband smiled ." audience member in Xenia ,Ohio.
"You will find some real gold here...truly remarkable....I enjoyed his (Igor's) playing and love his singing, but when Sarah played the violin...oohhhh...heaven. That woman can play the violin! I was mesmerized with her playing. The phrasing and technique were impeccable. And the duet played in perfect counterpoint to each other. They were having so much fun together it was infectious." Robert Karl Berta, The Free-Reed Review.
"Consummate musicianship, brilliant showmanship and international elan....no group has ever stirred so much enthusiasm for our series as did Mazaika." James Rogers, Music on High Performing Arts Series, Suffield CT, Presenter.
"A big hit! A full house of enthusiastic people...still mentioning how much they enjoyed Mazaika a week later." Peggy Krewson, Nantucket Arts Council, Presenter.
"To say we were pleased with Mazaika is a gross understatement. Theirs was the best concert we've had in our ten year history - and we have had some great performers! Artistically, they were superb. And their rapport with the audience is just delightful. Our audience nearly went crazy and gave them a lengthy standing ovation at intermission! Sarah's technical artistry is almost unbelievable. Igor is wonderful - not only a great artist but a real showman. They are absolutely a presenter's dream. Presenters, you can't do better than this."
Catherine Barnes, Arts under the Dome, Gulfport MS, Presenter.
'an excellent programme!'
Alan Tavener
Director of Music, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.mazaika-music.com
Track List:
1. Two Guitars
2. Along the Street
3. Turquise Rings
4. Czardas
5. Tell Me Why
6. My Marusechka
7. Lark
8. Cosack's Dream
9. Carusel
10. I Will Recognaise My Sweet Heat By the Sroll
11. Sirba
12. Moon Shine
13. What Is Sorrow to Me
14. Ziguenerweisen
15. Kalinka
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- WORLD: Eastern European
- FOLK: Traditional Folk
- TYPE: ACOUSTIC