Ilya Beshevli
Beshevli was born in Krasnoyarsk, one of Siberia's biggest cities, in a musical household: his father a professional composer and his mother a musicologist. Despite his background, Beshevli disliked studying music; struggling to maintain attention sat at the piano whilst friends enjoyed the outdoors.
It wasn't until the age of 21 that he started playing again, when substituting for his Grandma who was working in the local nursery. With no internet and nothing in particular to do, attention inevitably turned to the nursery's piano and what Beshevli describes as 'some sort of destiny'.
Explaining his chance re-introduction to playing piano, Beshevli states:
'Not having higher musical education is good and bad at the same time; I feel like I'm lacking basic knowledge, but our educational system usually kills the individuality. Maybe I would have become an academic musician, but most people would have never heard of me. Nevertheless, I'm studying at music university at the moment and we'll see what this will bring'.
Having performed across Russia in the likes of the Krasnoyarsk State Opera & Ballet Theatre, Krasnoyarsk Museum Center and the Regional Scientific Library – a 2013 tour culminated in a grand solo concert in October where he played with the a string ensemble to a full house in the widely respected Krasnoyarsk Regional Philharmonic Hall.
Releases
Wanderer
Ilya Beshevli
Vinyl, CD, download
Ilya Beshevli has announced details of his second album 'Wanderer', to be released on Village Green on May 27, via vinyl, CD and digital download.
Following his debut album, 'Night Forest' (2012), Siberian-born Beshevli's 'Wanderer' is an emotive, piano-led insight into the bustling, ever-changing inner city life - specifically Moscow, where the musician now resides. The album is also in part influenced by the contrasting escapism, that momentary departure from the noise and distractions of a city can bring.
Night Forest
Ilya Beshevli
Vinyl, CD, Download
Village Green presents Ilya Beshevli's debut album "Night Forest", reissued for the first time on vinyl, as well as CD and digital download.
Released in his native Russia on the Flowers Blossom In The Space label in 2012, "Night Forest" quickly sold out of its small run and has been much sought after ever since. The ten pieces contained in this album reflect a darker period in Ilya's life, and despite being recorded four years ago, retain the same high quality musicianship and recording to his follow up album.
The album is available on 180g vinyl (including download code), CD and digital download. Also available is a deluxe digital download containing both Night Forest and Ilya's follow up album for Village Green, Wanderer.
Night Forest was recorded at Tonstudio Mosfilm in Moscow, and was re-mastered + cut by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios.
Available to purchase in all formats from the following: