Anatoly Trofimov is a bayan (button accordion) virtuoso, music teacher, and prolific composer. He has composed and arranged many works for domra and bayan, folk ensembles, and orchestras. His compositions were published and performed throughout Russia. Anatoly Trofimov has won major international competition in Vienna, and has appeared as guest artist in France, Germany, Hungary, and Finland. He taught bayan and accordion master classes at folk music conventions throughout USA and Canada. One of the greatest bayan accompanists in the world, Anatoly creates a serene yet powerful musical atmosphere in each of his performances.
Together, Tamara Volskaya and Anatoliy Trofimov comprise one of the most remarkable and inspiring musical duos to be found anywhere in the world. Winners of international and national competitions they have toured throughout Russia, Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and have recorded several CDs.
The family ties of these musicians have a direct influence on the duo’s performances. Their collaboration is that of the soul. The harmony of the duo’s sound mesmerizes audiences by the total musical understanding of the two. Emotion and professionalism are the building blocks of “The Russian Duo’s” success.
The Duo is a subject of a popular book, Tamara Volskaya and Anatoliy Trofimov Perform. Anatoily Trofimov is also a talented arranger of a great number of the duo’s pieces. The wonderful compilation “Reminiscence”, dedicated to Tamara and Anatoliy’s parents, is a great example of the duo’s spiritual collaboration, and of Anatoliy’s thoughtful arrangements.
“The Russian Duo” has gained a prominent place in American musical scene. In 1999 and 2005 the duo was featured on NPR's nationally syndicated program "All Things Considered" and “Performance Today”, and on WMAR-ABC TV. The most recent of “Russian Duo’s” achievements was a performance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in February 2005.
While in
America, Tamara and Anatoliy established the “Russian Carnival” ensemble in
New York, which has gained great popularity, not only in the Russian community, but among music lovers of all genres. The ensemble performs regularly in
New York area and has released two outstanding recordings. In October 2004 “The Russian Carnival” Ensemble performed at Avery Fisher Hall,
Lincoln
Center as a part of “Russian Splendor” concert.
The 2005-2006 season was marked by the “Russian Duo’s” performances as guest-soloists with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra under Janite Hauk,
as well as the “Russian Carnival’s” performance at a prestigious Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in February. In 2007 - 2008 the "Russian Duo" extensively toured in
Spain,
Israel, twice in
Russia, and twice in
Japan. They also performed at the Russian Mission of United Nations in
New York City and Kostyushko Foundation Hall as part of the Lyric Society concert.
In 2006-2007 season "The Russian Duo” went on concert tours to
Israel,
Canada
and
Spain. That year also saw “Russian Carnival's” performance at the prestigious Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall. In March 2008 the duo returned from concert
tour to
Russia and
Ukraine where they played at the famous Kiev Concert Hall and the Concert Hall of the Gnessin Academy of Music in
Moscow.
In 2009-2010 the performers toured to
Russia and
Canada and took
part at the Metropolitan Opera production of Dimitry Shostakovich's opera “The Nose”.
In 2011 the duo performed in
Arizona,
Texas and
Florida. Their most recent appearances included the Russian Embassy and Embassy of Israel in
Washington
D.C.