Music-Samples - Alaskan Pianist: Live Piano Music

Alexander performed for our wedding last summer. Not only was he an extremely talented musician, but he carried with him an air of dignity and professionalism that far surpassed our expectations. Within weeks of our request, he had learned an entirely new piece, which he played to perfection for the bridal entrance. His timing was precise, his rhythm flowed, and he had what most musicians lack: a pure spirit, a frenzied emotional element that is only found in true artists.

Annie and Terry Calkins
married July 25th, 2010

Alexander has performed for our guests in our home to rave reviews. He plays with style and soul, and transforms our humble piano into a concert instrument, sizzling and alive with excellence and passion. When he plays his own favorite pieces, it is a joy to watch and listen to him … his fingers fly as his music soars and hold his audience captive.

We feel privileged when he entertains us… it is as if we are at our own private concert.

Lian Tan, Eagle River

I attended a large memorial service and related celebration of life for a dear friend; Alexander provided the piano accompaniment at both functions. I cannot adequately describe how wondrous it was to look up at the mountains through the spruce and birch trees while listening to Alexander’s magnificent musical tribute to our friend...

Sheila Lankford, Anchorage

MUSIC SAMPLES

Due to the small size of the sample files (and low quality of most of computer speakers), the sound quality of these samples is much poorer than that of an actual piano. You’ll still be able to appreciate the style, but the beauty of music may be lost. Don’t let it mislead you.

I encourage you to give me a call, and I’ll play you some selections over the telephone: they sound better, and you'll be able to choose among hundreds of pieces, not just a dozen. Most of my clients find it much more interesting than listening to samples through a computer.

Having said that, here are these samples: (If the files don’t open properly, ctr-click or right click to download the mp3 to your computer)

WEDDING MUSIC

I play, of course, the entire standard repertoire: “Here Comes the Bride”, “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, and so on. Here is one of these staples: “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn. Two other pieces are used less often, and so it is your opportunity to add an individual touch to the music choice of your wedding ceremony. The first melody is a stately middle part from Chopin's Waltz in G-flat (which makes a wonderful processional), and the second is a romantic “Swan” by Saint-Saens. This music was played at my own wedding, and has been my favorite ever since.

SONG ARRANGEMENTS

I play literally hundreds of songs, from many countries and time periods. Some of them are from musicals, like “Phantom of the Opera” or “Sound of Music”; some are traditional love songs. For this sample selection I chose a Russian song “Moscow Nights”, a French song “Milord” and an Italian song “O Sole Mio” (you may recognize the melody as the one used by Elvis Presley for his song “It is Now or Never”).

WALTZES

A few years ago I played a series of six concerts in Anchorage, called "Your Favorite Waltzes". There were, in total, about 60 of them: the best waltzes from around the world, composed by Strauss, Chopin, Tchaikovsky and many other composers; Russian waltzes, Spanish waltzes, and even a ragtime waltz! So whether you want to dance, or just listen to this uplifting music, I can play them for you all evening long. Samples: "Artist Life" by Johann Strauss, "Minute Waltz" by Chopin, and "Waves of the Danube" by Ivanovici (the music was used for "Anniversary Song" by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin).

JEWISH MUSIC

I lived for six years in Israel, and since then Jewish pieces -- be it traditional Yiddish songs, instrumental klezmer compositions, or contemporary Israeli songs -- are some of my favorites. I had a hard time choosing samples among all these treasures! But here they are: the famous "Hava Nagila" and "Tumbalalaika", and an Israeli song "Kvar Aharei Hatzot" ("After Twilight").

MY OWN MUSIC

As a ballet- and a church- accompanist, I am used to improvising all sorts of music, for any mood and situation. My favorite are slow and melodious improvisations, in a New Age style. Here is an example of one of my more formal pieces: Waltz "Reminiscences".

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That's enough samples: just a lucky baker's dozen! You can listen to a few more at the page CD "Freylakhs for Two". Let me tell you about other facets of my repertoire:

GYPSY MUSIC

These are delightful pieces, full of vigor, passion, and beautiful melodies. I play such gems as a Hungarian "Czardas" by Monti, waltz "Recollection", based on a Russian-Gypsy song "Dark Eyes", and some other Russian-Gypsy songs.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

While most classical compositions are better suited for a concert setting (where listeners concentrate solely on music, and not on the party around), many pieces are wonderful background music. So I'll play for you "Turkish March" by Mozart, "Italian Polka" by Rachmaninoff, "Fur Elise" by Beethoven, some Chopin's waltzes, and so on...

DANCES

For many years I worked as a dance accompanist. So, if you are into dancing, you can have them all: Tangos, Polkas, Waltzes, Ragtimes, Minuets, Mazurkas and Tarantellas... But let me know in advance if you will choose Marinella, Tropotianka, Kazachok or Babakaram!

SPECIAL REQUESTS

If you have a special song that you want me to play at your event, I'll be glad to learn it. And if you want to sing it with my accompaniment -- all the more fun!