Rastrelli Cello Quartet
The Rastrelli Cello Quartet is a string quartet that was founded in Germany in 2002 by four classically trained Russian and Belarusian cellists .
Since there are hardly any original compositions for cello quartets, special arrangements are written - especially by Sergio Drabkin - for both classical and modern pieces. The Rastrelli Quartet also adapts pieces from jazz , klezmer , blues and pop. The repertoire includes compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach and Peter Tschaikowsky as well as by Dave Brubeck , Astor Piazzolla , Paul McCartney and the Propellerheads .
In addition to numerous appearances across Germany, the quartet has toured several European countries, Russia and the USA. It performs regularly with klezmer clarinetist Giora Feidman .
Surname
The name of the Rastrelli Cello Quartet pays homage to the architect and builder Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli (1700–1771), who erected numerous baroque buildings in St. Petersburg . Three of the four musicians were born and raised in St. Petersburg.
Members
- Kira Kraftzoff - Artistic Director (* 1971 in St. Petersburg) 1985 concert debut, 1991–1994 solo cellist with the “St. Petersburger Solisten ”, 1998-2005 solo cellist with the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn.
- Kirill Timofeev (* 1978 in St. Petersburg) 1996–2001 studied at the Rimski-Korsakow Conservatory in St. Petersburg, 2003–2005 University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart , 1997 third place in a Russia-wide cello competition. 1999 1st prize “Caltanissetta Chamber Music Contest”, Italy http://www.musicamera.caltanissetta.it/eng/winners-eng.htm ( Memento from June 18, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) .
- Sergio Drabkin, (* 1953 in Polotsk / Belarus ) Education at the Polotsk Music School and the Minsk State Music Academy until 1977 . Then Belarus State Philharmonic, soloist in the Minsk baroque ensemble. 1995 moved to Germany. Since 2003 he has been a permanent member of the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra [1] .
- Mischa Degtjareff (* 1978 in St. Petersburg) first cello lessons at the age of five. Studied music at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg. From 2000 studies at the Stuttgart University of Music and Performing Arts. Solo cellist of the “Divertisment” chamber orchestra. 3rd Prize from the Gartow Foundation for his interpretation of the cello sonata by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Publications
- 2003 Rastrelli Cello Quartet Vol. 1
- 2004 Vol. 2 Cello in Jazz
- 2006 Vol. 3 Cello in Classic
- 2008 Vol. 4 Cello in Buenos Aires
- 2011 Vol. 5 In a Sentimental Mood
- 2011 Vol. 5 1/2
- 2015 Cello Effect
