CD "Songs of Exiles" - 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

CD "Songs of Exiles"

My recently recorded CD - solo piano arrangements of Jewish and Gypsy music

For centuries Jews and Gypsies were exiles, wandering from country to country in search of a safe place to live. Their music – wistful, invigorating, and diverse – still reflects both the difficulties they surmounted, and the various musical styles they picked up in their ramblings. This is why I called this CD “Songs of Exiles”, even if a couple of Jewish songs came from a contemporary Israeli composer. Other Jewish pieces are traditional Yiddish songs and Klezmer dances, while the Gypsy part of this CD draws from the Hungarian violin, Spanish guitar, and Russian vocal traditions.

“Songs of Exiles” is mostly a collection of my own piano arrangements. The exceptions are “Czardas” by Vittorio Monti and “Dark Eyes Waltz” by Feodor Herman, where I followed the original compositions, adding only a bit of flourish here and there; and “Asturias” (Flamenco-style Spanish piece by Isaac Albeniz, imitating the Gypsy guitar), where the only change was textural, to make it sound even more guitar-like. All other songs were treated freely; so free, in fact, that they might rather be called fantasies.

The music on CD “Songs of Exiles” comes from two concerts with the same name – my most recent addition to the series “Tales from the Keyboard”. Almost every piece has a story. To read some of them, go to my other website www.talesfromthekeyboard.com (don't get surprised: that particular page looks exactly like this one; but you may browse it to find 15 short stories...).

To buy CD “Songs of Exiles”, or to download separate tracks (as well as other CDs and digital downloads), click on one of the icons at the bottom of the page.

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