Album Notes

Only a very few people are born to be true artists. Nothing else will do for those that are. The passion and desire to create beauty and aesthetics eventually surfaces until the world knows who they are. In the case of Mikhail Barash, there was a long detour. But in a true artist, the desire always rises to the surface, seeking full expression.

Born in the Former U.S.S.R, Mikhail’s parents were very inspirational classical music enthusiasts who put him on the music path at age seven. At age 19 he entered the Georgian State Conservatory and became a concert violinist. To perform the finest classical music was his passion and desire.

Mikhail’s music career took him to Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, China, Mexico, Poland and former U.S.S.R. cities. In 1979 he immigrated to the United States, where he performed with the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra and he and Alla formed the Barash School of Music. Then his life took a detour. Mikhail had a car accident which injured his left hand and he could not play violin as before! Depressed over the car accident, he thought he would never play again. So he did the American thing and started businesses not related to music. With persistence and dedication, his companies grew and grew and became wildly successful.

After his retirement, with more time and encouragement from Alla, His friend and partner in life, he began playing his violin again. Eventually, Mikhail played at Alla’s birthday party as a gift to her. It was such a big pleasure seeing others enjoy his violin playing that it created an emotional breakthrough for him. Mikhail decided to record an album for his wife, selecting a program of passionate, melodic love pieces.

Mikhail is accompanied by pianist Anastasia Markina. Anastasia Markina was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and now lives in Texas where she studies with Vladimir Viardo at the University of North Texas.