SHTRYKOV-TANAKA DUO

BIOGRAPHY I CLARINET I DEBUT ALBUM I VIDEOS I CONCERTS I PRESS I CONTACT

Comprised of two sensationally gifted and acclaimed virtuosi, clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov [pronounced: sh-TRY-koff] and pianist Misuzu Tanaka, the Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo have been hailed as “clairvoyant collaborators” by Classics Today and celebrated as “a new generation of exquisitely talented performers who elevate our understanding of the world’s music” by the  Shelter Island Reporter. They can be heard throughout the U.S., garnering an impressive record of instant re-engagements. 

Clarinet and piano duos are still rare gems on the modern concert stage despite the extensive repertoire. With their innovative programming, master classes, and recitals, the Duo makes it their mission to transform the superb instrumental combination from a rare occurrence to a welcomed guest on concert series across the globe.

The Duo has appeared on numerous notable American concert series including Northeast Kingdom Classical Series, Black Hills Chamber Music Society, Parish Art Museum Salon Series, and Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts.  Discovering a mutual affinity for the unique timbre of period instruments has led the Duo to become regular performers for Music from the Frederick Collection, a leading North American venue for performance on historical instruments.

The Duo’s debut album ‘Epilogues’ has been praised by North American and U.K. press for “world-class performances of these works that yield nothing to competing catalog versions” (Classics Today) and for having “a real affection behind the enterprise: affection for the composers and between the musicians” (MusicWeb International). The album focuses on the final chamber works of three leading composers – Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saëns and Francis Poulenc who each chose the clarinet as an ultimate outlet of their genius, referring to its rich sound and soulful expression in the late stage of their lives and entrusting in it a lifetime of wisdom and experience.

Maksim and Misuzu first met in December 2012 when they were invited to present a clarinet and piano program during the holiday season in New York City. As avid chamber music collaborators, they instantly felt a unique artistic connection resulting in an inspiring and creative union.

Maksim Shtrykov began clarinet studies in his native Belarus, becoming the first Belarusian clarinetist to be accepted to The Juilliard School where he was awarded a degree of Master of Music as a scholarship student in the celebrated studio of Charles Neidich.  He is a prizewinner of many competitions including the International Johannes Brahms Chamber Music Competition in Poland and the “Salieri - Zinetti” International Chamber Music Competition in Italy. In 2007, while still in school, he made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall's intimate Weill Recital Hall as the recipient of the Artists International Special Presentation Award. 

Misuzu Tanaka was born in London, where she began her piano lessons at the age of five. She then continued her studies in Japan and in the United States with Martin Canin at The Juilliard School where her love for the music of J. S. Bach blossomed. Her Masters and Doctoral degrees are from University of Michigan, where she was a full scholarship recipient, studying with Logan Skelton. During this time, she devoted herself to the study and performance of the works of Leoš Janáček, which led to further studies with Miroslav Brejcha and Ivan Moravec in the Czech Republic. With notable success in international competitions, Misuzu has also received prizes and awards in the International Janáček Competition and the World Bach Competition (presented by Boulder Bach Festival), to name a few. Among her recent recording releases is a critically acclaimed live album, “Misuzu Tanaka in Concert,” featuring works by Leoš Janáček and J. S. Bach.

Maksim Shtrykov plays on a remarkable set of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) clarinets (Bb, A, and Basset clarinet) which were handmade by Jochen Seggelke, the head artisan and one of the founders of the German clarinet manufacturing company Schwenk & Seggelke. When he first got to play his new clarinets in 2020, the sound of the instruments amazed him with their projection and richness of colors so much that he has lovingly nicknamed his set “My Stradivarii”

When the clarinet was invented over three centuries ago, boxwood was being used for instrument making. However, at the turn of the 20th century, industrialization and colonization made it possible to import exotic wood, and boxwood gradually became less commonly used in favor of grenadilla. In addition, the growth rate of boxwood is very slow, thus it is difficult to harvest the wood in large quantities.

Despite the limited quantity in materials, Schwenk & Seggelke’s experience in replicating historical clarinets, as well as the audibly different properties of boxwood, have led them to build modern clarinets from this fantastic wood. Instruments made from boxwood display a vastly flexible, rich sound, even in extreme dynamics (loud tones & quiet tones) and extreme pitches (high & low). This makes for a more expressive performance without compromises in volume or focus. With its ability to transport the subtlest dynamics beautifully and clearly, had Anton Stadler and Richard Mühlfeld not played on boxwood clarinets, perhaps their artistry alone would not have inspired Mozart and Brahms, respectively, to write masterpieces in their final years.

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General Management and Record Label

Concertant Classics
Christina Erdman
Booking Representative
Christina@concertantclassics.com
Tel: (917) 336-1441

Public Relations

Gold Sound Media
Jonathan Eifert
jonathan.eifert@goldsoundmedia.com
Phone: (347) 741-1913
174 West 4th Street, Suite 274
New York, NY 10014