Lucas and Arthur Jussen
Lucas and Arthur Jussen know how to keep their audiences spellbound. Only last summer they set the audience in the Main Hall of The Concertgebouw on fire during their unforgettable opening concert after the first lockdown. Tonight they’ll present another unique event, transmitted worldwide through streaming. Now everyone can enjoy the exciting repertoire of their new release,
The Russian Album. Seated at their two grand pianos the brothers will transport you to Russia, playing compositions by Stravinsky, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich and Arensky.
The Russian Album
The Russian Album is the seventh album by Lucas and Arthur Jussen on the renowned Deutsche Grammophon label. The pianists selected compositions for two pianos by Russian masters Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Rachmaninov, Igor Stravinsky and Anton Arensky. Their aim was to capture the essence of Russian music with its unique character, timbre and energy. The compositions reflect some turbulent episodes in Russian history. As Lucas explains: “The romantic aspect is paramount to many admirers of Russian music but there is always another dimension. The feelings of anxiety and oppression are continually present in Shostakovich’s work, even when the music itself sounds cheerful. And whilst Rachmaninov’s music can emanate pure beauty, it’s pervaded with that nostalgic feeling of homesickness. That is the magic of Russian music.”
The Russian Album will be available from March 19th.
Physical music
The brothers have had the idea for
The Russian Album for quite some time, but they decided to wait until they both had sufficient focus and time to study the music. When their concerts were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Covid–19 virus the opportunity to get properly stuck in the music presented itself. “The music is so powerful it affects you physically. After three days of recording we literally felt the fatigue and pain in our bodies,” Arthur comments.
Listen to previous albums by Lucas and Arthur Jussen on
Spotify.