Flute Center Presents
Denis Savelyev Recital & Masterclass
featuring Radosława Jasik, piano
Sponsored by Altus Flutes
Live in New York | February 19, 2026
Program
Nocturne and Poem - Zhanna Kolodub
Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 “Arpeggione” - Franz Schubert
Concert Aria - Michał Bergson
Allegro - Yuliy Meytus for Flute and Piano (arr. Denis Savelyev) *World Premiere
Syrinx - Claude Debussy Masterclass (Performer: Hayden Theall)
Masterclass Highlights
The recital and masterclass celebrate Eastern European repertoire, including a world premiere arrangement, while offering one student a masterclass session with Savelyev's expressive approach to solo flute playing.
Performance Mindset & Musical Identity
- Know where the music comes from: Savelyev's programming draws deeply on Ukrainian and Polish heritage. Understanding a composer's cultural world — not just their notes — transforms how you communicate a piece to an audience.
- Commit to the story: Debussy's Syrinx is built on myth and longing. Every phrase needs a narrative behind it; technical security is only the foundation, not the goal.
Technical Tips & Tone
- Silence is part of the music: In unaccompanied works like Syrinx, the spaces between notes carry as much weight as the notes themselves. Use them intentionally, not as recovery time.
- Color through air: Tone variety — from warm and breathy to bright and focused — is the palette of an expressive flutist. Practice moving between colors fluidly within a single phrase.
Musical Context
- Savelyev brings a first-hand connection to the Eastern European works on the program, including the world premiere of his own arrangement of Meytus's Allegro, reminding students that performers can also be interpreters and editors of the repertoire they love.
Program Highlights:
- Zhanna Kolodub, Nocturne and Poem — Atmospheric, evocative writing from a major Ukrainian voice.
- Franz Schubert, Arpeggione Sonata — One of the great chamber works in any transcription, demanding lyricism and long-breathed phrasing throughout.
- Michał Bergson, Concert Aria — A rare gem of Polish Romantic repertoire, shining a light on an underperformed composer.
- Yuliy Meytus, Allegro (arr. Savelyev) — A world premiere arrangement, showcasing Savelyev's advocacy for Ukrainian music.
- Claude Debussy, Syrinx — Masterclass (Hayden Theall): exploring color, narrative, and the art of playing alone.