​For over ten years, Shalygin has been occupied with a project for a lifetime: music for solo instruments. He is convinced that only a single instrument can express the most concealed, intimate and deep things. One musician on the stage, who plays more for himself than for an audience, is similar to someone praying. In each of his solo works Shalygin reaches an exalted state, giving the instrument a special voice.

His solos Shalygin usually writes for musicians with whom he has developed a friendly relationship. This is necessary, as he not infrequently drives them far beyond their limits. Letters to Anna is a symphony for solo violin, which violinist Emmy Storms had to work on for a long time. Dark and impressive is Canti d’inizio e fine, written for cellist Maya Fridman, in which each movement symbolises one of the angels of death from Jewish mythology. Shalygin composed his Preludes while studying in St Petersburg. The eminent Ukrainian pianist Antonii Barishevsky – this season our artist in residence, with whom Shalygin has worked for many years – performs this cycle of intimatie piano pieces.

With his solo cylces, Maxim Shalygin caused a furore at festivals at home and abroad. In his hometown The Hague, these works have never before been performed. The musicians for whom the pieces were written will appear on stage.

Maxim Shalygin

​​Canti d’inizio e fine for cello solo (2018)
Letters to Anna, symphony for violin solo (2009/10)
Preludes for piano solo (2008)