ANDREJ KURTI AND VIKTOR UZUR: The Entertainers

Andrej Kurti and Viktor Uzur

The Entertainers

© 2001 Blue Griffin Recording (649288120620)

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An explosive virtuoso violin and cello duo performs an eclectic collection of jazz, rock-n-roll, classic and Easter-European folk.

tracks

1 The Entertainer
2 Schon Rosmarin
3 Seva
4 Bohemian Rhapsody
5 Czardas
6 Cherry Pink...
7 Heart of the Sunrise
8 Bumblebee
9 Cocek
10 In the Flesh
11 Run Like Hell
12 Another Brick in the Wall
13 Goodbye Blue Sky
14 Kashmir

notes

Viktor Uzur
Viktor Uzur began studying cello at the age of twelve at a school for musically gifted children in Yugoslavia as a student of Relya Chetkovich. At the age of seventeen he was accepted into the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Russia. Studying under Alexander Fedorchenko and Dmitri Miller for six years, he received his Masters in Cello Performance with special recognition as a concert performer in 1995. Uzur completed his second Masters Degree at the University of Georgia under David Starkweather. He holds a Doctoral Degree in cello performance from Michigan State University as a student and Graduate Assistant of Suren Bagratuni.

In 1989 Uzur won his first major award, receiving top prize at the Yugoslav National Competition in Sarajevo. Other honors include a prize at the “Jeuness Musicales” International Competition in Belgrade in 1995. He was awarded a Certificate of Merit as a semi-finalist in the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

From 1992 to 1999 Uzur held the principal chair in the ARCO Moscow Chamber Orchestra and has been featured as a soloist with the group in Spain, France, Russia, Canada, Korea, Latvia, and the United States. Uzur also actively composes and arranges a wide variety of music for diverse chamber ensembles, several of which have been featured on WUGA National Public Radio. He taught at several music festivals in Europe and America and is currently on the faculty at the Weber State University in Ogden Utah, USA.

Andrej Kurti
A Native of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Andrej Kurti finished elementary and high school music education in the studio of professor Djula Tesenji where he was a recipient of several first prizes in National violin competitions. From 1988-1994 he completed a B.M. degree and then a M.M. degree at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in the studio of professor Levon Ambartsumian and Zorya Shikmurzaeva. In 1993 he was a soloist and Artistic Director of the Corfu Chamber Orchestra in Greece. From 1995-2003 prof. Kurti completed an additional M.M. degree and then a DMA degree at the University of Georgia in the studio of Levon Ambartsumian and Michael Heald. He served as principal second and principal viola in the ARCO Chamber Orchestra as well as concertmaster of the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

In the past five years Kurti has also collaborated with over 30 musical ensembles in non-classical music styles in Athens, Georgia. He has also performed with such ensembles as the Charleston Symphony, the Savannah Symphony, the Augusta Symphony, the Jackson Symphony, the Greenville Symphony, and the Macon Symphony. Kurti has recently performed as soloist with such ensembles as the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony, Rapides Symphony, and the Northeast Texas Symphony.

“Selfishly, I hope they do not return to Europe too quickly. It would be a shame to lose them so soon. All of the arrangements are by cellist Uzur. Rather than slavishly imitating the originals, Uzur has remained faithful to them while not neglecting his imagination and creativity. Generally speaking, the violin takes the place of the electric guitar and the vocals, while the cellist serves as the electric bass and drum set. I feared that the several selections from Pink Floyd's self-pitying masterpiece The Wall, for example, would be deadly dull sans vocals, but Kurti and Uzur have proven me wrong. Without changing very much, they have changed everything. The spirit of rock music is the spirit of rebellion and innovation, and no one can rightfully say that these two musicians have failed to do that on this CD.”

Fanfare Magazine, Jan/Feb 2006


Viktor and Andrey clearly love the opportunity to present music with equal parts joy, charm and wit. As their new album The Entertainers offers, they are the real deal.

Flagpole January 30, 2002 Live Reviews by Erik Hinds

"Andrej and Viktor" are omnivirtuosos from the former Yugoslavia who are game for anything with a hook, whether it's Scott Joplin, traditional Slavic dances, Rimsky-Korsakov or Pink Floyd. Who else would dare to forcibly repatriate the "Bohemian Rhapsody" to its homeland? You laugh, you groan, but by the time these madmen launch into an epic 10-minute fantasia on Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir," you submit.

City Pulse May 15, 2002 Blue Griffin Records offers outlet for local classical talent By Lawrence Cosentino

reviews

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  • author: curtis harrington

    a must have in any music lover's collection. can't wait for the next one andrej!

  • GREAT!
    author: violin student

    Best violin/cello CD I've heard in a long time. Quite enjoyable to listen to. The rock songs are amazing on these string instruments.

  • wonderful playmanship and song selection
    author: David Dollar, Louisiana

    Wonderful playmanship, and great song selection to show off not only their virtuosity, but their playfulness and openminded approach to traditionally classical instruments. The only song that seems out of place is the title piece, but a great buy for any listener at $15.00

  • came for Kashmir--staying for the rest
    author: tommy kuo (amateur violinist)

    very, very fine violinist/cellist using classically trained technique playing virtuoso arrangements of hard rock ---I been longing for something like this --it is amazing how much sound and color a violin and cello can make (NO dubbing used)----hearing these two play zeppelin,queen, floyd is like using a craig supercomputer to play Doom... Uzur is a fantastic arranger ..the classical world could more of his talents..there might be more kids playing the violin or cello.... follow up album say with Rush??

  • This is truly unique and rare duo. Something new! Very inspirational!
    author: Paris Draghici

    To have something performed on violin and cello and sound like string quartet would seem imposible before hearing this CD. This is a must for any music lover. Quality of recording is crisp and clean. Arrangements are very appealing and enjoyable. First class performance!

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