“For my debut album, I have chosen to record the cello sonatas by Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff. These grandmasters come from the country where my father was born and raised, so I feel very closely connected to the Russian culture and music. It has been an absolute pleasure to work on and record for this album with my dear friend Giuseppe, whom I met during my studies at the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin. Together, we recorded this album in the stunning Kleine Zaal of the Muziekgebouw in Eindhoven, where we went through three intensive days. We are exhilarated and proud that we could make this recording happen with Brendon Heinst. I would also like to express my gratitude towards Sena, who enabled me to make this recording.”