New York


Ljova & My Perestroika

Ljova recently returned from the Sundance Film Festival, in support of Robin Hessman's wonderful documentary My Perestroika.

Enjoy three of Ljova's tracks in the film's score:

Click here for My Perestroika showtimes at New Directors / New Films Festival in New York!

Contact Ljova directly, or click here to request a demo.
Ljova is also on Twitter as @ljovadotcom.

Ljova at 30 - celebration at the Ukrainian

LJOVA @30
Monday, August 18 at 7:30pm
Ukrainian East Village Restaurant - Back Room
140 2nd Ave, bet St. Marks & 9th St.
Manhattan
Subway: 6 to Astor Place, R/W to 8th Street; short walk from Union Square
COVER: $10 suggested donation for the music. Cash food & bar.

Ljova and the Kontraband
Lev Zhurbin, viola
Inna Barmash, vocal
Mike Savino, bass
Patrick Farrell, accordion
Mathias Kunzli, percussion

Plus -- the Martinu "Three Madrigals", with Ljova and Johnny Gandelsman.. and more music?!

And of course, co-starring: borscht, pierogies, apple pancakes, Ukrainian beer..
If you're on Facebook, RSVP here!

Season Schedule

2010 Events

Join Ljova's email list for schedule updates and other news. Updates are sent out about once a month and the list is kept private. You can also view and/or subscribe to upcoming events in Ljova's Google Calendar.

Past Dates


Date Project Venue Location
January 8th, 2009 at 8pm Frank London Band & Ljova and the Kontraband double bill Mehanata Lower East Side, NY
February 12, 2009, 10:30pm BarmaLjova Small Beast @ The Delancey New York, NY
February 21, 2009, 7pm The Providence String Quartet with special guests BarmaLjova The Great Room Brooklyn, NY
February 28, 2009, 7:30pm Ljova and the Kontraband with Eva Flatscher & Jose Limon Dance Company Tribeca Performing Arts Center New York, NY
March 5, 2009, 7pm Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas performs "Sounds of Women". The Town Hall New York, NY
March 8, 2009, 7pm Ljova and the Kontraband with special guests Æ Barbes Brooklyn, NY
March 20 at 8pm Ljova with Romashka Hungarian House Manhattan, NY
March 21 at 9pm (possibly 9:30) Ljova with Romashka Mehanata Lower East Side, NY
March 28, 2009, 3pm Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and music students from NYC Public Schools premiere a new composition by Ljova, "Sugar Hill Bump". See more at the M.U.S.I.C. project page Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College New York, NY
April 5, 2009, 3pm Ljova plays chamber music by Brahms & Dvorak, with Soheil Nasserri & Friends Bargemusic Brooklyn, NY
April 11, 2009, 10 pm Ljova with Romashka LPR West Village, NYC
April 27, 2009 at 8:30pm Ljova and the Kontraband at the Schizoid Music series, with special guests Cornelia Street Cafe Greenwich Village, NY
April 30 at 8:30 pm Ljova with Romashka. 113 Ludlow St, $10 cover. Mehanata (the Bulgarian Bar) Lower East Side, NY
May 4, 2009 Ljova and the Kontraband at Kennedy Center's Contemporary Music Festival. [watch the performance online] Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage Washington, DC
May 9, 2009 at 7:30pm World premiere of Niña Dance, a new song cycle featuring vocalist Sofia Rei Koutsovitis. [buy tickets!] Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall New York, NY
May 14, 2009 at 7pm Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas Gala concert Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center New York, NY
May 20, 2009 at 7 pm Nigunim Unplugged - Ljova plays with Joey Weisenberg's band (Jake Shulman-Ment, Benjy Fox-Rosen) Eldridge St Shul New York, NY
May 26, 2009 at 7, 8:15, and 9:30 RIPFest Screening - THE ONE THAT I WANT
an epic 7-minute film musical drama, created in 16 days - with music by Ljova [More info]
Anthology Film Archives New York, NY
May 30, 2009 at 8 pm Ljova with THE SHIN "Sound of Georgia" [More info] DROM New York, NY
July 16, 2009 - FREE Kronos Quartet, performing 2 of Ljova's arrangements/transcriptions Prospect Park Bandshell [info] Brooklyn, NY
July 19, 2009 Ljova with Bangalore Breakdown Joe's Pub [tickets] New York, NY
July 23, 2009 Ljova and the Kontraband The Jewish Museum [tickets] New York, NY
July 26 and 27, 2009 Ljova with Nina Nastasia and Matthew Szemela The Hideout Chicago, IL
August 2, 2009 Alondra De La Parra conducts Ljova's arrangements of two Piazzolla Tangos [ticket info] Colorado Music Festival Boulder, CO
August 9, 2009 - FREE Ljova with Romashka Riverside Park Acoustic Sundays [info] New York, NY
August 22, 2009 Ljova with Romashka Eurasia Dance Festival [info] Glen Spey, NY
September 10, 2009 Ljova and the Kontraband as part of Musicians 4 Harmony Merkin Concert Hall [info] New York, NY
October 8-10, 2009 Premiere of "Busk", a collaboration with choreographer Aszure Barton (see a video fragment] Ringling International Arts Festival Sarasota, FL
October 15, 2009 Premiere of Tales of Offenbach, a collaboration with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, Morphoses Dance, and the Dallas Opera Dallas Center for the Performing Arts (Grand opening) [info] Dallas, TX
October 24, 8pm Ljova and the Kontraband with special guest Jofre Romarion Barbes Brooklyn, NY

Past Events

Groups & Soloists Performing Ljova's Compositions and Arrangements

Brooklyn Rider performs Ljova's works on select performances in New York and on tour. The Quartet has recorded Ljova's works on its debut CD "Passport" and has recorded Ljova's arrangements of Persian music on its collaboration with the Persian kamanche master Kayhan Kalhor, "Silent City". Watch YouTube videos of Brooklyn Rider's performances of Ljova's compositions.
Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas performs Ljova's arrangements of Astor Piazzolla's Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Mvmt II and IV) on tour. POA's conductor Alondra de la Parra has also conducted this arrangement with the Houston Symphony in the Fall of 2008. POA also performed Ljova's orchestral arrangements of Gloria Estefan's songs at the Latin Grammys 2008 "Person of the Year" evening honoring Gloria Estefan.
The Enso Quartet has performed Ljova's "Bagel on the Malecon" on tour since 2006. Watch YouTube video of Enso Quartet's performance of "Bagel on the Malecon" at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
Violinist Tim Fain performs Ljova's Sicilienne composition for violin and piano on his tours and has recorded the composition for an upcoming Naxos release.
The SPARK quintet is a brand new contemporary music ensemble based in Germany, which is rapidly taking off. For their debut season, they have commissioned a number of compositions & arrangements from some great young composers such as Kenji Bunch, Daniel Kellogg and Ljova. As they gear up for a full season next year, they will play several concerts in Germany this fall. To hear sounds (including their riveting performance of Ljova's "Tango Heavy"), and details of their upcoming tour, visit:
http://myspace.com/sparkoff
The Kronos Quartet is performing Ljova's arrangements on their tours since 2005. Check out their current season page for details about upcoming concerts near you.
A Far Cry,Boston's proudly unconducted chamber orchestra performed Ljova and Osvaldo Golijov's arrangement of the Taraf de Haidouks' tune "Turceasca" in a series of concerts. Here's one orchestra member's take on the arrangement and premiere performance: "Tackling Turceasca"
Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project regularly performs Ljova's arrangements since 2004. Check out their current season schedule for details about upcoming concerts near you.
Romashka, a NY-based fiddle-brass dance party band performs several of Ljova's compositions written for the band's Eastern European dance repertoire. Ljova also plays the viola and famiola in the band. Check out Romashka's website for more about the band.
Bowfire performing Ljova's arrangement of the Khachaturian Sabre Dance since 2004. Check out the performance online, or visit their current season schedule for details about upcoming concerts near you.


Radio and Media Highlights

2008 Past Events

Date Project Venue Location
January 5, 2008 Ljova & the Vjola Contraband, double-bill with the Brooklyn Rider Joe's Pub New York, NY
January 19, 2008 Ljova with Romashka at the Zlatne Uste Festival in New York. Zlatne Uste New York, NY
January 31, 2008 Ljova and Inna Private performance at Ljova's parents 30th anniversary Moscow, Russia
February 23, 2008 Ljova with Romashka! Drom New York, NY
March 8, 2008 Ljova and the Kontraband with Rob Kendt! Barbes Brooklyn, NY
March 9-15, 2008 Ljova teaching at the Winter Career Development Residency The Banff Centre Banff, Canada
April 4, 2008 Ljova as special guest for CD-Release by Alina Simone Joe's Pub New York, NY
April 10, 2008 Ljova performing with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas The Town Hall New York, NY
April 25-May 3, 2008 Cupcake premieres, featuring music by Ljova, performed by Ljova and the Kontraband Tribeca Film Festival New York, NY
May 8, 2008, 1pm Ljova and the Kontraband Trinity Wall Street Church (Concerts at One series) New York, NY
May 10, 2008, 9pm Ljova and the Kontraband DROM New York, NY
May 18, 2008, 12pm Ljova and the Kontraband Philadelphia Book Festival Philadelphia, PA
May 18, 2008, 4pm Ljova and the Kontraband, double bill with the Yiddish Arts Trio Princeton Arts Council Princeton, NJ
June 5, 2008, 6pm Ljova and the Kontraband Petrushka on the Hudson Benefit World Yacht, NY
June 6, 2008 Ljova with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas Avery Fisher Hall New York, NY
June 12-15, 2008 Ljova and the Kontraband in collaboration with Freefall Dance Company WalkerSpace / Joyce SoHo New York, NY
June 14, 2008 Ljova with Romashka DROM New York, NY
July 11, 2008 Ljova and the Kontraband Barbes Brooklyn, NY

September 11-13, 2008
Ljova with Romashka and Wu Man Phoenix Symphony World Music Festival Phoenix, AZ
September 25, 2008 Ljova with Sanda Weigl Barbes Brooklyn, NY
September 28, 2008 Ljova and the Kontraband CD RELEASE with Frank London & Uli Geissendoerfer Joe's Pub New York, NY
October 2, 2008 US Premiere of "Tokyo!" (feat. Ljova's orchestrations) and the World Premiere of "Only Love" (feat. Ljova's original score) Woodstock Film Festival Woodstock, NY
October 15 and 16, 2008 The Knights w/Jan Vogler, cello: Shostakovich (arrangements by Ljova), Hendrix, and Copland and Ljova Le Poisson Rouge West Village, NY
November 12, 2008 Ljova arranging for the "Person of the Year" tribute to Gloria Estefan, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Alondra de la Parra, and special guests Latin Grammys Houston, TX
November 16, 2008 Ljova featured on NPR's "All Things Considered." Listen to segment here: ["Ljova: Giving Viola a Chance"] NPR/Radio Everywhere!
November 17, 2008 Ljova performs in Frank London's "Green Violin" The Jewish Museum New York, NY
November 20, 2008, 5:30-7pm Ljova speaks on a panel about Composing for Films The Art Institute of New York, 75 Varick, St., 16th floor New York, NY 10013
December 6 and 7, 2008 Ljova with The Knights Bargemusic under the Brooklyn Bridge, NY
December 13, 2008, 8 pm Ljova and the Kontraband $10 The Stone. Corner of Ave C and 2nd Ave Lower East Side, NY
December 27, 2008 Ljova with Romashka Mehanata Lower East Side, NY
December 30, 2008, 7 pm Ljova with Johnny Gandelsman Barbes Brooklyn, NY

2007

December 7, 2007 World on a String Band Waltz Astoria Queens, NY
December 6, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband, World on a String Band and the Luminescent String Orchestrii Ukranian East Village Restaurant New York, NY
November 28, 2007 Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra) Kennedy Center Washington, DC
November 25, 2007 Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra) Sala Nezahualcoyotl, UNAM Mexico City, Mexico
November 24, 2007 Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra) Palacio de Belles Artes Mexico City, Mexico
November 20, 2007 Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra) >Myerson Symphony Center Dallas, TX
November 15, 2007 Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (dir. Alondra de La Parra) NYU Skirball Center New York, NY
November 10, 2007 Ljova with Percusia Queens Library Queens, NY
November 7, 2007 Ljova with World on a String Band Goodbye Blue Monday Brooklyn, NY
October 25, 2007 Ljova with Rob Kendt Googie's Lounge, The Living Room New York, NY
October 14, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband - double feature with the Parker String Quartet Barbes Brooklyn, NY
October 4-7, 2007 Performing in the premiere of Man: Biology of a Fall, an opera by Evan Hause Kumble Theater Brooklyn, NY
August 3, 2007 OPEN REHEARSAL with Ljova and Inna and friends Joe's Pub New York, NY
August 3, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband Barbes Brooklyn, NY
July 26, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) New York, NY
July 12, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband Arium New York, NY
July 6, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband Philadelphia Art Museum Philadelphia, PA
June 22, 2007 Ljova with Dawn Upshaw, Osvaldo Golijov, and the Andalucian Dogs Festival Saint Denis Paris, France
June 20, 2007 Ljova with the Gustavo Santaolalla and Guests Festival Saint Denis Paris, France
June 13, 2007 Ljova with Uli Geissendoerfer and Bangalore Breakdown German Consulate New York, NY
June 12, 2007 Ljova with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Paquito D'Rivera Rose Theatre, Lincoln Center New York, NY
June 8, 2007 Ljova and the World on a String Band Banjo Jim's Lower East Side, NY
June 1, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband BAMCafé, Sundance @ BAM Film Festival Brooklyn, NY
May 31, 2007 | 2 pm Ljova and the Vjola Contraband Soundcheck Live Live Radio appearance on NPR/WNYC, FM 93.39
May 31, 2007 | 6 pm Ljova with Romashka TBD New York, NY
May 22, 2007 | 10 pm Ljova with the Walter Thompson Soundpainting Orchestra Bowery Poetry Club New York, NY
May 21, 2007 | 8 pm Ljova with the SEM Ensemble Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall New York, NY
April 28, 2007 Mahavishnu Project The Forum Theater Metuchen, NJ
April 26, 2007 Ljova with Ingrid Gordon and Demetrius Spaneas The Stone New York, NY
April 19, 2007 Ljova with Uli Geissendoerfer + Group The Stone New York, NY
April 21, 2007 Mahavishnu Project Makor New York, NY
April 20, 2007 Mahavishnu Project IMAC Theater Huntington, NY
April 19, 2007 Ljova with Uli Geissendoerfer The Stone New York, NY
March 27, 2007 Ljova plays with Kate Havnevik Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA
March 22, 2007 Ljova plays with Kate Havnevik Joe's Pub New York, NY
March 17, 2007 Ljova performs "Long Island Sound" with Ensemble 212 Good Shepherd Church New York, NY
March 8, 2007 Ljova and the Vjola Contraband Barbes Brooklyn, NY
Feb. 27, 2007 Recording Ljova's original score for Michael DiPaolo's film
Dec 13, 2006
Ljova with Inna
Barmash (vocals) and David Yengibarjan (accordion) - original and folk
music
Spinoza Haz Budapest, Hungary
Dec 11, 2006
Kate Havnevnik, Guy Sigsworth
The Regal Room London, UK
Nov 17-Dec 1, 2006
Assistant Composer and Recording for Francis Ford Coppola's film "Youth without Youth"
  Bucharest, Romania
Nov 15, 2006
"Ayre" with Dawn Upshaw and the Andalucian Dogs

 (cancelled)
The New Crown Festival Vienna, Austria
Sep 20-27, 2006
Jay-Z rehearsals and show
Royal Albert Hall London, UK
Aug 22, 2006
Vjola Contraband
Barbes Brooklyn, NY
Aug 8, 2006
Vjola Lounge Duo
JCC New York, NY
Jul 21, 2006
Improvisations with Clifton
5C Cultural Center New York, NY
Jul 20, 2006
Chassidic Jazz Project with Reuben Hoch
Makor New York, NY
July 12, 2006
Ljova & Vjola Contraband
Joe's Pub New York, NY
Jul 9, 2006
Soundpainting
Bowery Poetry Club New York, NY
Jun 30, 2006
Theatro Slovak
Galapagos Brooklyn, NY
Jun 21-25, 2006
Jay-Z rehearsals and show

New York, NY
Radio City Hall New York, NY
Jun 16, 2006
Vjola Contraband
OMFactory New York, NY
Jun 8, 2006
Mexican American Orchestra
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center New York, NY
May 27, 2006
Soundpainting Recording Session
   
May 7, 2006
Romashka at Tubapalooza
Zebulon Concert Cafe Brooklyn, NY
May 5, 2006
Cassis Recording
   
Mar 24, 2006
Ljova with Patrick Farrell (accordion), Sarah
Alden (violin)
5C Cultural Center New York, NY
Mar 14, 2006
Ljova with Patrick Farrell (accordion), Sarah
Alden (violin)
Via Della Pace New York, NY
Mar 3, 2006
Romashka


Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA
 Dec 7 and 9, 2005
Ljova in string trio with Donovan
 The Concert Hall at the New York Society
for Ethical Culture
 New York



Ljova music & video samples

Film Music Demo

To be granted access to the full online demo area (featuring downloadable full-length mp3s), or to receive a demo CD by mail, please inquire here.