(best enjoyed in full screen / HD)

MNEMOSYNE (It's autumn in the country I remember)
Music by Ljova (2007)
Lyrics by Trumbull Stickney (c. 1902)
Performed by Ljova and the Kontraband
featuring Inna Barmash (vocal)
and special guest, Frank London (trumpet)
Recorded by Peter Karl / Mixed by Anibal Kerpel / Mastered by Steven Berson
from the Kontraband's debut record album, Mnemosyne, available here.

Thank you to all of our friends and fans who made this double bill sell out in presales - not bad for a 9:30pm show on a school night, in the middle of two major Arts Presenter conferences!

We had a blast - see you next time! Thank you!

--Ljova [and the Kontraband]
P.S. We'll post a few videos from the show soon.

Our son, Benjamin Avram Zhurbin (or simply Benjy) was born on July 1, 2009 -- he wishes you a Happy Halloween, and wants you to check out his growing mini-slideshow.

Read an extensive interview with Ljova, at the website CompositionToday.

Aszure Barton & Artists
Directed and Choreographed by Aszure Barton
Music:Lev "Ljova" Zhurbin ("Less", from the album "Mnemosyne")
Lighting:Nicole Pearce
Costumes: Michelle Jank
DP & Editor: Kevin Freeman
Camera Operators: Aubrey Fernandez, Kevin Freeman

Ljova's score for Lev Polyakov's short animation "Only Love" won the "Best Original Score for Short Film" award at the 2009 Long Island International Film Expo.
Watch the 3-minute music trailer on YouTube.

Cynhops, for solo viola and dance.
Recorded at White Oak, Florida

THE ONE THAT I WANT
an epic 7-minute film musical drama, created in 16 days

starring:
Aléna Watters, Amy Verebay, Andrea Gallo, Richard Ugino

Directed by: Sean Gannet
Produced by: Virginia Cromie; associate produced by Jose Venutolo
Writen by: Ethan T Berlin & Eric Bryant
Music by: Ljova
Performed by: Ljova, Steve Tyler, Mathias Kunzli, Jeff Greenwald, Mike Savino & Ron Caswell

Filmed by Sasha Burdett, edited by Steve Tyler, choreographed by Melissa Rae Mahon

Premiering at RIPFEST, along with 5 other brand new shorts:
May 26, at 7, 8:15, and 9:30
Anthology Film Archives
New York NY
[thank you to all who came!]

Ljova was recently profiled on NPR's radio program All Things Considered, in the segment Musicians in Their Own Words. The interview focuses on inspiration for several of Ljova's compositions, relationship to the viola and tradition, and the art of "phoning it in".

Listen to the story -- Ljova: Giving the Viola a Chance.

In November, Ljova had the privilege of arranging orchestral music for the "Person of the Year" evening honoring Gloria Estefan, produced by Phil Ramone, featuring performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Americas with Alondra de la Parra, and special guests John Legend (pictured above), Patti Labelle, Jose Feliciano, Santana, Kenny G The Miami Sound Machine and others. See the slideshow.

MNEMOSYNE, the debut release by Ljova and the Kontraband, featuring guest apperances by Frank London, William Schimmel, Uli Geissendoerfer, Marcus Rojas, and Alon Yavnai, was released on September 28th, with a special performance at Joe's Pub, in New York.

For reviews, soundclips, and track listing, visit http://www.Ljova.com/mnemosyne

Get your copy of the CD via:
[CDBaby] [iTunes] [Amazon.com]

Thank you all!

The acclaimed new string quartet Brooklyn Rider has recorded two of Ljova's compositions, "Plume" and "Crosstown", for their debut CD release, "Passport". You can get a copy at their website or on iTunes.

At the same time, Brooklyn Rider recorded a new Ljova arrangement of "Parvaz" by Kayhan Kalhor, on their World Village debut release, "Silent City", which also features the title track, co-arranged by Ljova and Kayhan Kalhor. The CD itself comes out in September, but you can download the mp3s on Amazon and iTunes.

In January 2008, Ljova acquired a new 6-string acoustic instrument, built by Eric Aceto. It has the sounding range of the violin, the viola, and most of the cello, all in a package slightly larger than a violin.

Between January 26 and May 31, Ljova's friends and fans contributed names on his blog; now you get to vote on your favorites! Author of the best submission will win autographed CDs, as well as Ljova's gratitude.

Voting ended on August 31st -- and the winner is -- FAMIOLA.
Thank you to all who voted!
(For sound samples, see here.)

LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND in collaboration with FREEFALL DANCE present

LIE, LAY, LAID

June 12-15, 2008
Joyce Theater Soho - walkerspace
[more info] [review]

"In an exuberant show that went on for well over their allotted hour onstage, the group blended fiery gypsy dances, rustically melancholy songs without words, intricately and imaginatively arranged jazz and potently crescendoing classical melodies, often in the same song... This concert was exhilarating, transcendent, a blast."

-- Lucid Culture blog, reviewing a performance by Ljova and the Kontraband at Trinity Church on May 8th.
[read the entire review] [watch "Plume"] [watch the entire webcast]

Ljova and the Kontraband return to Manhattan with a performance on May 10th at DROM. Buy tickets in advance without service charge, and save $5 vs. paying at the door.
[More info] [Tickets] [Facebook Event Page]

"CUPCAKE", a short film starring Kinna McInroe and directed by Sean McPhillips, will debut at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival on April 25th.

The film features an original score by Ljova, performed by his group Ljova and the Kontraband with special guests Alon Yavnai on piano, and Marcus Rojas on tuba.

The film also features a special appearance by Ljova's wife, the vocalist Inna Barmash, who sings on the end-title song written especially for this project. You can hear it on MySpace and ReverbNation.

- In the era of hybrid everything, Ljova is practicing on a new instrument -- a 6-string hybrid made by Eric Aceto. It doesn't yet have a name -- hence, we're running a baby-naming contest. See more pictures, hear samples, and win free CDs for your help in the contest -- give it your best shot -- entries accepted until May 31.

- Ljova & the Vjola Contraband = Ljova and the Kontraband.
We've decided to shorten our name in the hope that now it will actually fit on a marquee. It's bound to be a little confusing as we try to rename our web presence and materials, so please hold tight. Same band, same ever-changing repertoire.

- We've posted a new video from our January 2008 show at Joe's Pub, and the Brooklyn Rider's have posted several more from their set - enjoy!

- Ljova & Inna went to Moscow in January to visit the Winnie "The Pooh" Sanders (pictured above), whose honeyed addiction sounds eerily like that of an alcoholic .. and also to celebrate Ljova's parents' 30th anniversary - congratulations to them! View our Moscow pictures.

- Ljova's music was featured on Delta Air Lines flights in January and February. Chose your airline wisely. (Delta flyers - Ljova's debut CD, Vjola: World on Four Strings, can be obtained here.)

Last but not least, a semi-anonymous snapshot of CURRENT PROJECTS:
-- mixing the debut recording of Ljova & the Kontraband
-- original score for a short animated film (with live orchestra!)
-- arrangements for a short-subject film by Michel Gondry
-- practicing!

Ljova & the Vjola Contraband are featured in this week's edition of New York Magazine, in an article by Justin Davidson profiling several developments in New York's indie-classical scene. Read The Next Next Wave online.