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Lev Zhurbin
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Also known as
Ljova
Spouse
Inna Barmash
Role
Composer · ljova.com
Name
Lev Zhurbin
Origin
Moscow, Russia
Birth name
Lev Aleksandrovich Zhurbin (Lev aleksandrovich ZHurbin)
Born
August 18, 1978 (age 46) (
1978-08-18
)
Genres
Classical, folk, chamber jazz, Film Music, Gypsy, World
Occupation(s)
Musician, arranger, film composer, producer
Instruments
Viola, famiola, fadolin
Children
Yosif Zhurbin, Benjamin Zhurbin
Albums
Lost in Kino, Melting River, Vjola: World on Four Strings, Romance
Parents
Irena Ginzburg, Alexander Zhurbin
Similar People
Alexander Zhurbin, Colin Jacobsen, Bela Bartok, Emika, Juventino Rosas
Romance funebre by lev zhurbin played by scott slapin and tanya solomon
Lev 'Ljova' Zhurbin (born August 18, 1978 in Moscow, Russia) is a composer, violist, and arranger. Ljova is the author of over 70 original compositions for classical, jazz, and folk music ensembles. He has also contributed musical scores to numerous short and feature films. Among recent projects are commissions from the Louisville Orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia, a string quartet for Brooklyn Rider and a commission for Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project; arrangements for the Brooklyn Philharmonic, tenor Javier Camarena, conductor Alondra de la Parra, the Mexican songwriter Natalia Lafourcade, composer/guitarist Gustavo Santaolalla, The Knights, and collaborations with choreographers Aszure Barton, Damian Woetzel, Christopher Wheeldon, Katarzyna Skarpetowska (with Parsons Dance Company), and Eduardo Vilaro (with Ballet Hispanico).
Ljova immigrated to the United States and has lived on the Upper West Side of New York City since 1990. He is the son of one of Russia's foremost composers, Alexander Zhurbin, and the poet/lyricist/writer Irena Ginzburg.
Ljova released his debut solo CD, Vjola: World on Four Strings, in July 2006 on his own label, Kapustnik Records. "Mnemosyne", the debut album of his ensemble, Ljova and the Kontraband, featured Frank London, William Schimmel and other special guests. His third album, "Lost in Kino", focuses on his film music, featuring Ljova's cues from collaborations with films by Francis Ford Coppola, James Marsh, Robin Hessman, Josef Astor, Lev Polyakov, Roman Khrushch, Sean Gannet and Basia Winograd.
In 2012, Ljova released his fourth album, "Melting River", featuring music created for a dance piece by choreographer Aszure Barton. It was initially released as a download-exclusive on Bandcamp, but has since been issued on limited edition vinyl with bonus tracks.
2014 saw the release of "No Refund on Flowers", the second album by Ljova and the Kontraband, crowdfunded through a 34-second campaign on Kickstarter.
2015 and 2016 saw the releases of soundtrack albums to Ljova's scores for "Finding Babel" and "Datuna: Portrait of America".
In addition to albums, Ljova routinely releases singles through his page on Soundcloud.
Ljova is married to Inna Barmash, an attorney and musician. They have two sons, Benjamin (born 2009) and Yosif (born 2011).
Arrangements and orchestrations
Arrangements and transcriptions for Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble:
Azeri Traditional (Azerbaijan): Chahargah, Rast Dilchesh
Chinese Traditional: Blue
Moldavian Traditional: Sirba in E-flat
Rabih Abou-Khalil (Lebanon): Arabian Waltz, Norma’s Secret
Romanian Traditional: Doina Oltului
Romanian Traditional: Hora Martisorului
Sandeep Das (India): Mohini, Summohini
Gheorghe Enescu (Romania): Bohemian Rhapsody No. 1
Kayhan Kalhor (Iran): The Silent City, Layers of Loneliness, The Mountains are Far Away
Sapo Perapaskero (Romania): Briu, Rustem, Turceasca (arranged in collaboration with Osvaldo Golijov)
Dorado Schmidt (France): Kali Sara
Dorado Schmidt (France): Tchavolo Swing
Wu Man (China): Green, Red
Arrangements and transcriptions for the Kronos Quartet:
Rahul Dev Burman (India): Dum Maro Dum, Ekta Deshlai Kathi Jwalao, Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne, Koi Aaya Aane Bhi De, Mera Kuchh Saaman, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Rishte Bante Hain, Saiyan Re Saiyan
Walter Kitundu (Tanzania/US): Cerulean Sweet I & II & III
Matmos (US): For Terry Riley, Solo Buttons for Joe Meek
Unknown (Iraq): Oh Mother, the Handsome Man Tortures Me
Swedish Traditional, arr. Triakel: Tusen Tankar
L. Subramaniam (India): Rag Kivani: Ragam
Ram Narayan (India): Raga Mishra Bhairavi: Alap
Unknown (Sepharadic): Ahellel El, Balak Tinsani, La Moledet Shouvi-Roni, Samahti
Yellen/Pollack (USA): Mayn Yiddishe Mame
Arrangements for Brooklyn Philharmonic & Alan Pierson
Vyacheslav Artyomov: A Boy as a Boy (film soundtrack)
Gennady Gladkov / Ljova: Fantasy overture to The Bremen Musicians
Gennady Gladkov: Suite from The Bremen Musicians (film soundtrack)
Mieczysław Weinberg: Vinni Pukh Goes Visiting (film soundtrack)
Arrangements for The Joffrey Ballet
Chaikovsky (Russia): The Nutcracker Party
Arrangements for The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem: Get Hurt (performed on the Late Show with David Letterman)
Arrangements for Bond
Russian-Gypsy Traditional: Mama, I Love the Gypsy Jana!
Arrangements for Morphoses / The Wheeldon Company / Dallas Opera
Jacques Offenbach / Ljova: Tales of Offenbach
Arrangements for Brooklyn Rider
Kayhan Kalhor (Iran): Parvaz
Toivo Kärki (Finland): Täysikuu (Full Moon)
Arrangements for Rufus Wainwright, Anne-Sofie von Otter, and Brooklyn Rider
Jacques Offenbach (France): Barcarolle (from Tales of Hoffmann)
Arrangements for Gustavo Santaolalla and Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas
Apertura, De Ushuaia a la Quiaca, The Journey, A Love That Will Never Grow Old, Brokeback Mountain Medley (co-arranged with David Campbell)
Arrangements for Bajofondo & Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas
Mi Amor, No Preguntos Cuanto Son, Montserrat, Bruma, Duro Y Parejo, Mi Amor, Miles de Pasajeros, Gran Guignol, Pa’ Bailar, Perfume, Los Tangueros
Arrangements for Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas / Alondra de la Parra
Astor Piazzolla (Argentina): Otoño Porteño and Invierno Porteño, Primavera Porteña
Gloria Estefan (Cuba) – Estefantasia, a 5-minute medley of the songs of Gloria Estefan, created for the Latin Grammy Awards 2008.
Juventino Rosas (Mexico) – Sobre Las Olas (Over The Waves)
Travieso Carmesí — arrangements for Alondra de la Parra, Ely Guerra, Natalia Lafourcade, Denise Gutierrez (Lo Blondo), Aleks Syntek, Mane de la Parra, Armando Manzanero
Anonimo – La Llorona
Lorenzo Barcelata – Sandunga
Gonzalo Curiel – Vereda Tropical
Maria Grever – Júrame, Te Qiuero, Dijiste
José Alfredo Jimenez – Amanecí en tus Brazos
Agustín Lara – Aventurera, Azul, como el cielo, Coplas Guajira / Morir y renacer, Farolito, La Fugitiva, Impossible, Piensa en Mi, Oración Caribe, Solamente Una Vez, Veracruz, Un Viejo Amor
Armando Manzanero – Adoro, Esta Tarde Vi Llover, Por Debaje de la Mesa
Tomás Méndez – Cucurrucucú Paloma
Quirino Mendoza y Cortés – Cielito Lindo
Manuel M. Ponce – Estrellita
Aleks Syntek – Historias de Danzón y de Arrabal
Natalia Lafourcade - He llegado Yucatán
Natalia Lafourcade - Un Derecho de Nacimiento
Arrangements for Ute Lember and the Jasper String Quartet:
Kurt Weill (Germany): Youkali, Der Song von Mandelay
Arrangements for “Edwin: The Story of Edwin Booth”:
Marianna Rosett (Romania/Hungary/USA): Edwin: The Story of Edwin Booth (off-Broadway premiere cast version)
Arrangements for Madeleine Peyroux & The Art of Time Ensemble:
Leonard Cohen (Canada): Dance Me to the End of Love
Arrangements for Jan Vogler & The Knights
Dmitri Shostakovich (Russia): Five Waltzes from Film Music & Jazz Suites: Michurin, The Gadfly, Jazz Suite No. 1: Waltz, Jazz Suite No. 2 Waltz No. 1, Jazz Suite No. 2 Waltz No. 2
Arrangements for The Knights
Sapo Perapaskero (Romania): A Stork Crosses The Danube, In The Company Of A Raven
Franz Schubert (Germany): Gretchen am Spinnrade, Ständchen
Arrangements for Alexander Fiterstein
For Clarinet, Cello & Piano: Emil Kroitor (Moldova / Israel): Wedding Hora — clarinet, cello, piano
For Clarinet & String Quartet:
Rep. of Dave Tarras (Ukraine): Zeydn’s Tans, Sirba in B-flat, Kiever Sher
Traditional / Unknown: Gas Nign No. 72 (Makonovetski’s), Tants a Freilakh, Zoghets & Freylakhs
Rep. of Naftule Brandwein (Ukraine): Nifty’s Freylakh, Firn di Mekhutonim Aheym
Arrangements for the Detroit Symphony & Soloists
Joseph Rumshinsky (Russia / Lithuania): March from Chantshe in Amerike
Gershwin / Berlin (USA): Swing Medley (Liza – Blue Skies – Alexander’s Ragtime Band)
Traditional & Ljova: Klezmer Tanz Suite (Zhok in D minor / Zeydn’s Tants, Budget Bulgar)
Stephen Schwartz (USA): When You Believe (from The Prince of Egypt)
Naomi Shemer (Israel): Medley (includes Y’rushalayim Shel Zahav, Shiro Shel Aba, Al Kol Ele, Machar, Lu Yehi, Od Lo Ahavti Da)
Various (Israel): Jerusalem Medley (includes Lach Y’rushalayim, Sisu Y’rushalayim, B’Shana Haba’ah)
Trad. (Israel): Hatikvah
Rotblit & Rosenblum (Israel): Shir L’Shalom
Sepharadic Traditional: Cuando El Rey Nimrod
Rapaport (Israel): Y’rushalayim
Finkelstein (Israel): Fanfare from Liberation Suite
Arrangements for Bowfire
Aram Khachaturian (Armenia): Sabre Dance
Arrangements and transcriptions for Organized Rhythm
Camille Saint-Saens (France): Aquarium, Fossiles
Arrangements for Ryan Star:
We Might Fall, Losing Your Memory, Famous Love
Discography
as leader (composer / performer / arranger):
2017 - "Footwork" (Kapustnik Records)
2016 - "Datuna: Portrait of America" official soundtrack (Kapustnik Records)
2015 - "Finding Babel" official soundtrack (Kapustnik Records)
2014 - "No Refund on Flowers" with Ljova and the Kontraband (Kapustnik Records)
2012 - "Melting River" (Kapustnik Records) - issued as a download in 2012, vinyl with bonus tracks, 2014
2011 – "Lost in Kino" with Romashka, Wu Man, Tall Tall Trees, Kálmán Balogh and others (Kapustnik Records)
2008 – "Mnemosyne" with Ljova and the Kontraband, guests Frank London, Uli Geissendoerfer, William Schimmel, Alon Yavnai and Marcus Rojas (Kapustnik Records)
2006 – "Vjola: World on Four Strings" (Kapustnik Records) - reissued in 2011.
as composer:
2016 - duo Jalal: "Shadow & Light" (Bridge Records) - includes "Shadow & Light"
2013 - Brooklyn Rider: "A Walking Fire" (Mercury Classics) - includes "Culai" and "Budget Bulgar"
2012 - Spark: "Folk Tunes" (Deutsche Grammophon) - includes "Budget Bulgar" and "Old Lautar"
2011 - Tim Fain and Pei-Yao Wang: "River of Light" (Naxos) - includes "Sicilienne"
2011 - Julia Kogan: "Troika" (Rideau Rouge Records) - includes "The Rain has Flown"
