PIANO
The Speisinger Sessions
In a proverbial sea of sonata and concerto debut recordings, Yelayu’s entrance into the space is a bold proposal: here is a quiet & idyllic collection of classical music’s most beloved shorts. In this guiding thematic arch, The Speisinger Sessions appeals to both the cognoscente & the curious; the connoisseur & the casual listener.
There are fan-favorite familiars; pieces whose popularity have transcended the classical realm and become mainstays in pop culture. Satie’s “Gymnopédie No. 1”, is played with the appropriate melancholia but avoiding the over-sentimental. In Chopin’s Opus 28, No. 4 Prelude, the hauntingly spartan melody floats over the heart-beat pulse of profound chords. Here, too, are beloved standards in the repertoire. The Brahms Opus 118, No 2 Intermezzo is given a perpetual motion interpretation that highlights the ingenious syncopations which structurally define this lovely work. Nestled in Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, among the virtuosic finger-busters like “Feux Follet” & “Mazeppa,” is the pastoral “Paysage” - inspired by a Delacroix sketch, it captures a rolling green landscape with a sun-drenched cathedral standing under a blue sky dotted with towering white summer clouds.
Still, Yelayu is careful to avoid cliché. The collection opens with a rousing interpretation of Scriabin’s Etude in C-Sharp minor, a favorite encore of Vladimir Horowitz, delivered here with an exploration of melodic voices and free rhythm that was clearly inspired by the great Master. When selecting a piece from Debussy - instead of going with the popular “Arabesque No. 1” or the evergreen “Claire de Lune” - Yelayu chooses the lesser-known “Rêverie”, an equally gorgeous piece that is less timeworn and fabled than its more popular compositional contemporaries. Where most would immediately think of the perennial “Traümerie” when offering a work from Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Yelayu presents “Der Dichter sprict” with a stunning reading of resolute tranquility.
Yelayu’s playing - sonically dynamic, emotional, and robust - is perfectly captured with the sound of a Steinway Model D-274 9-foot concert grand piano on one of the world’s most acoustically-perfect stages.
You can listen to samples, provided here by Apple Music.
Sumahrumet Entertainment & Fourhouse Publishing
The full album is available on all platforms including Apple Music (and Apple Classical), Spotify, Tidal, Amazon, Youtube, and over 200 other streaming services in all countries around the globe.
Yelayu AS Pianist
Yelayu and the piano have been lifelong companions. By the age of 6, he was reciting music at the instrument which he’d learned by ear. By 11, he was composing in the 20th Century New Age/Solo Piano style.
In 2001, at 14, he began studying classical music under Maestra Nancy Ann Kurtz, a noted artist-teacher and pupil of the celebrated concert pianist, composer, conductor, and pedagogue Rudolph Ganz. Her instruction firmly rooted him in the Russian school of piano technique and the Viennese Classical style of performance, with the influence of Ganz and the Liszt technical pedagogy. His chief influences during this time, and still, were Vladimir Horowitz, Claudio Arrau, André Watts, Martha Argerich, Jorge Bolet, and many others.
His repertoire tends to lean toward the Romantic, Impressionistic, and modern, but still properly highlights the Classical, Gallant, and Rococo eras. Yelayu performs in recital and concert.
INVITE YELAYU TO PERFORM
In addition to touring, Yelayu is available to perform in solo recitals and with ensembles and chamber groups. His performance repertoire is classical music, with a major focus on the Romantic & Impressionistic eras, but also including works from the Baroque, Gallant, Rococo, and Classical eras. He also performs his own compositions, which are Modern Classical in nature.While he primarily prefers music focused performances (recitals, concerts, festivals), he is available for certain events at special request. Agencies & events coordinators can extend an invitation to perform below.
Typically, Yelayu is available for contract performances only, via arts management agencies and events/performance booking agencies. Exceptions for private performances or direct bookings are made on a case-by-case basis, at the artist’s discretion and via the artist’s management. To request consideration for private performances or direct booking, please select below: