Ian Maksin is a cellist, composer, and vocalist who sings in over 30 languages. He has created his own unique musical Metaverse by blending classical, jazz, and world music and by drawing inspiration from very diverse and eclectic musical sources, taking the listener along on this magical journey beyond space and time. AMOR RENATUS (REBIRTH OF LOVE), his brand-new single, has been released along with a music video in advance of his North American tour and 12-track album of the same name. This recording is the ideal representation of what Ian Maksin can do: music with veritable healing properties that demonstrates well his passion for his craft and his effortless ability to capture the same boundless energy that he exhibits live on stage.
Speaking on the new single and the forthcoming album, Ian Maksin shares, “AMOR RENATUS’’ is a reflection on the tragic ongoing events in Ukraine. It delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human soul, unearthing a myriad of feelings universal to all wars: grief, indignation, fear, and despair. As the journey continues, the music guides the listener through a path to redemption and a spiritual transformation, allowing them to ultimately find peace, comfort, and empowerment. As artists, we are fortunate to have music as the most powerful means of emotional healing and be able to offer it as medicine for the soul to the listener as well.”
AMOR RENATUS is scored for the cello, enhanced by the use of the loop pedal, and is powerfully transformed into a virtual orchestra by the use of other electronics. The addition of various percussion instruments on several tracks, ranging from the deep, heart-like tones of the Mongolian frame drum to the trance-inducing grooves of the West African djembe, also adds to the magical and state-altering properties of the music of the album. In this album, Maksin has taken his distinct musical language and style to yet another level by drawing musical influence from a variety of sources. These include J.S. Bach, Mozart, Astor Piazzolla, and folk music from different parts of the world from the Middle East to the Balkans.
The album opens with a Prologue which in turn consists of four compositions: Alis Doloris (Wings of Sorrow) Intro, Alis Doloris, Nostalgia, and In Tenebris (In the Dark) which prepare the listener for the centerpiece of the album – the Requiem. The first and third movements of the latter, Requiem Aeternum and Dies Irae have some recognizable allusions to Mozart’s Requiem, but with an underlying feel of Tango Nuevo and a poignant solo cello part, which at times sounds almost like a guitar solo by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. The second movement, Tuba Mirum, starts off with a Middle Eastern drum groove, with the cello solo coming in seemingly sounding like a Balkan trumpet solo, leading to an apocalyptic culmination. The closing movement of the Requiem portion of the album – Lux Aeterna, is merely a serene and solemn milonga, almost reminiscent of Astor Piazzolla. On the back end of the Requiem, there are four more tracks grouped as the Epilogue: Amor Renatus (Rebirth of Love) intro, Amor Renatus, Ortus Solis (Sunrise), and Urbs Aurum (City of Gold), which are meant to take the listener back to light and love on a path of spiritual transformation.
Tracklist
PROLOGUE
- Alis Doloris (Wings of Sorrow) Intro
- Alis Doloris (Wings of Sorrow)
- Nostalgia
- In Tenebris (In the Dark)
REQUIEM
- Requiem Aeternum
- Tuba Mirum
- Dies Irae
- Lux Aeterna
EPILOGUE
- Amor Renatus (Rebirth of Love) (Intro)
- Amor Renatus (Rebirth of Love)
- Ortus Solis (Sunrise)
POSTLUDE
- Urbs Aurum (City of Gold)
A portion of the proceeds from the concert tour and album sales will be directed to For Wellbeing a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian aid in the regions of Ukraine most affected by war. Maksin has been supporting this charitable organization since March 2022 as part of his Cello for Peace tour of over 200 concerts in North America and Europe.
Artist BIO: Ian Maksin, a luminary in the world of classical and world music, unveils an extraordinary musical journey that defies convention and transcends borders. Born in the USSR and raised in a multicultural family, Maksin’s musical odyssey is a testament to the power of diverse influences and unwavering dedication to the art of the cello.
From the tender age of three, Maksin exhibited a prodigious talent for music, embarking on his musical odyssey by mastering the guitar and piano. At the age of six, he commenced his love affair with the cello while attending the prestigious Leningrad School for Gifted Children. His unrelenting pursuit of musical excellence eventually led him to the hallowed halls of the Manhattan School of Music in New York City at the tender age of 16.
After honing his craft in the classical genre and serving with distinction for three years as a member of the New World Symphony in Miami, Maksin boldly embarked on his own musical career. Over the past decade, he has released a series of critically acclaimed albums featuring original compositions and taken his mesmerizing talents to stages worldwide, performing over 150 concerts annually across five continents.
Maksin’s musical odyssey extends far beyond the boundaries of classical tradition. A true global citizen and passionate linguist, he has cultivated his vast repertoire through extensive travel, jam sessions, and collaborations with musicians from diverse cultures around the world. His original compositions and instrumental works effortlessly weave together elements of ethnic music, drawing inspiration from various sources around the globe.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Ian Maksin shared, “At some point, I realized that music is much more than mere entertainment. Music is one of the most powerful and unifying forces in the world, capable of healing, inspiring, bringing people together, and bringing peace among them. I believe that cello will save the world.”
Notable Highlights: Ian Maksin has graced the stage with some of the most iconic names in the music industry, including opening for Sting and Dominic Miller in Chicago in 2010 and 2012. He embarked on a tour with the legendary Andrea Bocelli in 2012 and has collaborated with luminaries such as Barry Gibb, P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg, and Gloria Estefan. Since 2015, Maksin has enraptured audiences worldwide as both a solo artist and as the frontman of the enthralling Zaria Band, delivering over 100 performances in 20+ countries annually. In 2022, he embarked on a transformative journey as part of the Cello for Peace Tour, where he performed over 100 concerts (and ongoing) in support of Ukraine, generously donating the proceeds to humanitarian charities.
TOUR DATES
September 29: Phoenix AZ
September 30: Sedona AZ
October 1: Tucson AZ
October 10: Kelowna, BC
October 13: Vancouver BC
October 14: Portland OR
October 15: Seattle WA
October 19: Detroit MI
October 21: Cleveland OH
October 28: Boston MA
November 2: Washington DC
November 4: Philadelphia PA
November 5: New York, NY
November 8: Toronto ON
November 9: Ottawa ON
November 10: Quebec QC
November 12: Montreal QC
November 18: San Francisco CA
November 19: Los Angeles CA
December 3: Chicago IL
More dates in North America and worldwide TBA
TICKETS & ADDITIONAL INFO: ianmaksin.com/tour
Connect with Ian Maksin:
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PHOTO CREDITS: CUANTICA PICTURES (PRESS IMAGES) | CRISPY RAW (ARTWORK)
