Igor Zapravdin on Minkus (and on a rare Jewell from "Roxana - die schöne von Montenegro")

Instead of writing “my own stuff” I’ll use this time Igor Zapravdin’s note to me…

Thank you, Maestro, for this immense love for the Ballet that you share with us - and how lucky we are to experience, enjoy and take advantage of all your knowledge!

“Dear Ricardo!

First of all, Minkus was an Austrian composer! (Note: yes and nobody thinks about that as he is so associated with Imperial Russia!). One of the best ballet composers ever! On my last CD " Hommage to Minkus" with rarities of ballet music. I also play this composition from the Ballet "Roxana - die schöne von Montenegro", a Ballet fantastique in 4 acts (1878, choreography Marius Petipa)

By the way, Vladimir Malakhov used this adagio for his "Bayadére" and I did Arrangement.

Everyone knows " Don Quixote", "Bayadére", " Paquita " ... But I prefer rare ballet music. Like "Die Schneetochter", "Les Brigands ", "La Camargo", " Mlada", “Les Aventures de Pèlèe". To me, the melody is one of the most important aspects of music and I generally have a preference for more melodic music. For me, Minkus is the greatest melodist ever!”