"Greensleeves"

Here is the second video featuring music from the "Piano Holidays". This is my rendition of the Christmas classic "Greensleeves", also known as "What Child Is This." It features photography by Teresa Arrowood and Julie Backenkeller as well as some pictures taken by me. All of the photographs were taken after the incredible snowstorm of December 8, 2009 that left Janesville and the entire area covered in lots of heavy snow. Combined with the freezing temperatures that followed, it made for great pictures if not the most comfortable driving conditions.

Enjoy!

Also, I'd like to let you know that the "Piano Holidays" is now available at the Rotary Gardens.

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

Here is the first video from the "Piano Holidays" featuring artwork by Judith Detert-Moriarty.

Piano Holidays release and signing party date is set!

My Holiday album is almost out! Come on down to Codos Coffee on Friday, December 4th at 9 pm and get your very own signed copy of "Piano Holidays"! Featuring Christmas favorites and original winter themed compositions, this album is filled with nearly 60 minutes of relaxing piano music to take away that holiday stress!

"Piano Holidays" will be available at the following retailers:

Codos Coffee

Fairview Florist

Gathering Place

Hedberg Public Library

Raven's Wish

Email list

If you want to know where I am performing next, the best thing to do is to be on my email list. It goes out once every couple of weeks and it outlines where I will be playing next. Interested? Send an email to YRashkin@gmail.com

Thanks!

Yuri's Music Update: Janesville Country Club and Golden Oaks Mansion

This week I will be playing on Thursday, July 2nd, starting at 6:30 at the Janesville Country Club

and

on Saturday, July 4th , starting at 7 pm, at the Golden Oaks Mansion in Lake Geneva. Here are their coordinates:

421 Baker Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-9711

Have a great 4th of July!

Piano lessons? Music for a party or celebration? Call me! 608-754-2424.

Yuri's Music Update: Armory on Friday

Tomorrow night, Friday, June 19, I will be playing piano at the Janesville Armory starting at 6 pm. Armory has become a regular venue for me, and I hope that you help me out in supporting this great restaurant. And besides, they have great food, so how difficult cold it be? Hope to see you there! Here are the Armory's contact info:

10 S High St
Janesville, WI 53548
(608) 741-7400

New music videos

It's been a while since I've had the time to put together new videos of my music, but here are two new ones for your enjoyment.

The first one is called "Flight". It includes pictures I took on my last flight to San Francisco and is set to my composition "Valentina".



The second video is a selection of the photographs of my family taken right before and after we came to the United States in 1988. It is set to my composition called "Moving Forward". You may also recognize the music, as it is the theme to my telelvision program "Discover Janesville with Yuri Rashkin".

Listener Review

Review of Yuri Rashkin Piano Originals

Whether I am swinging in my hammock or gripping a steering wheel, Yuri’s piano music carries me along to a serene place where I can escape the stresses of everyday life. I put Yuri’s music on and the world around me seems to melt away. I find it easy to get lost in the dancing composition of musical energy.

Yuri’s music flows from the heart, a perfect mix between playfulness, elegance, and deep emotion. This CD holds several soft graceful harmonies to engage you in those quiet moments of reflection. You can expect vast beautiful comfort and relaxation without the dissonance or heavy energy that some piano compositions hold. Two of my absolute favorite tracks for pure peace and grace are Delusions of Grandeur and Valentina.

Yuri Rashkin’s Piano Originals is a warm and wonderful collection of 15 entertaining pieces of work. Pop in this CD and prepare yourself for something delightful.

Review by Lori Frison, Mind/Body Health and Wellness Coach

Yuri's Music Update: Janesville Armory and Name That Tune

This week I will be performing on Friday, May 15 at the Janesville Armory. Who knows, with this great weather, this may be an outdoor concert!

NEW DEVELOPMENT: Introducing NAME THAT TUNE!!

A classic game concept done in my own original style. The audience is invited to take notes as I play the medley of some excellent and popular songs and melodies. The medleys are organized chronologically: The best of the 50s, 60s, Jazz, Broadway, and so on. At the end of each medley, I announce the songs that were just performed. The winner receives a copy of my CD. So far the best score for an hour-long game is "38". Can you beat it? This program is available for private parties or gatherings. Want to schedule an affordable and memorable entertainment for your group? Call or email me!

The next Discover Janesville program, featuring interviews with Nick Fitzgerald, Pam Van Brocklin and Kay and Neil Deupree is scheduled to air on JATV Sat. & Sun., May 16 & 17 at 1 & 6 pm. You can also see the interviews at www.DiscoverJanesville.com

This Thursday, May 14, I will be serving as one of the judges for Janesville Got Talent, to be held at the Janesville Senior Center. From what I hear, it should be a great show. Can we hope to see the next Susan Boyle?

My CDs “Piano Originals” and “Moving Forward” are now available at the following venues:

CoDo’s Coffee
Hedberg Public Library
Gathering Place in Milton
Fairview Florist
Cannova's restaurant in Freeport, IL
and now also at the B23 Gallery in Fish Creek, WI!

CDs are also available for sale at my performances.

Interested in piano lessons? Call me at 608-754-2424. First lesson is free!

Looking for musical entertainment for your function? Call me!

Previous Projects - Working with Zoya Maslak

In the past, I have worked on several animation projects with Zoya Maslak, an accomplished animator in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Here are some of the projects I have scored for Zoya.


Screensaver for the Salt Lake Winter Olympics 2002 featuring the mascots. Was available for download from the official website of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics. Original music by Yuri Rashkin

Animation by Zoya Maslak based on paintings by Vassily Kandinsky. Original music by Yuri Rashkin

A project done to illustrate the function of the G protein. Animation by Zoya Maslak. Original music by Yuri Rashkin

Looking for reviews

I am looking to put reviews of my music on this website, and who would be better suited to write a review than you, the listener! So, if you have one of my CDs, or if you heard me play live or on the internet, please let me know what you think. You can leave a comment here, or you can email it to me. Thank you.

Yuri's Music Update: Codos, Armory and Metropolitan

This is shaping up to be a busy week:

Thursday, April 9 - from 8 until 10 pm I will be playing at Codo's
Friday April 10 - from 6 until 9 pm I will be at the Janesville Armory
Sunday April 12 - I will be playing from 10 until 1 at the Metropolitan for the Easter Sunday Brunch.

All dates are in Janesville.

Yuri's Music Update: Spotlight on Kids

Hi Everyone,

This week I hope to see you at the Janesville Performing Arts Center where I will be playing piano for the Spotlight on Kids production of "Free To Be You and Me".

Showtimes are: Friday (tonight) at 7 pm, Saturday (tomorrow) at 7 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. For additional information, please go to http://www.spotlightonkids.org/

My CDs are available for sale. You can purchase them at my performances, or at the Hedberg Public Library, Codos Coffee and at the Gathering Place in Milton. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, let me know.

We have filmed another episode of Discover Janesville with Yuri Rashkin, this time at the Rock County Historical Society, featuring interviews with Jim Lyke, Madge Murphy, Ed Martinez and Geoff Parker (grandson of George S. Parker). Naturally, I enjoy every interview and conversation, but I'm particularly thrilled about being able to offer you an interview with Geoff Parker. Mr. Parker, an author, historian and the manager of the Parker Family Archives was in town for just a couple of days to help promote the Parker exhibit at the Rock County Historical Society, and we were able to set up a time for a conversation that was both entertaining and educational. For instance, did you know that George S. Parker and Frank Lloyd Wright were involved in a correspondence? Find out these and other interesting things by watching Discover Janesville with Yuri Rashkin! The program will air on JATV sometime next week, but it is already on YouTube and can be seen in its entirety at http://www.discoverjanesville.com/ .

Interested in piano lessons? Call me at 608-754-2424. First lesson is free!

Looking for musical entertainment for your function? Call me!

Yuri's Music Update: The Janesville Armory and The Gathering Place

This week I will be playing piano at the Janesville Armory (Friday, February 6) starting at 6 pm, and at the Gathering Place in Milton (Sunday, February 8) starting at 1:30 pm.
I hope to see you at one or both of those venues.

Check out my channel on YouTube –
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheYuri -
where you will find the latest interviews from the next installment of Discover Janesville, as well as several videos of my music.

Looking for a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day? Here's an idea!

"Moving Forward" - The Album

Moving Forward is my 2nd CD. It features well over an hour of original piano music and continues where the first CD has left off with more relaxing piano music. Though some of the compositions are more complex and developed than the ones on the Piano Originals, Moving Forward provides the listener with more soothing piano music that is perfect for everything from driving to working on computer, to meditation, to having it play in the background, while sitting around with friends. It's the next best thing to having me play piano at your party.

"Sound Advice"

This is a video I put together using my composition "Sound Advice" and some of the photographs I have taken while on my visits to San Francisco.

"Here We Are"

This is a video I put together using my composition "Here We Are" from "Piano Originals" and some of the photographs I have taken. "Here We Are" has been repeatedly mentioned to me as listeners' favorite track from the album.

Yuri's Music Update: CD Release Party tonight!

I hope to see you tonight - January 15 - at Codos Coffee Shop at the big CD Release Party for my latest album "Moving Forward".
Codos is located in Downtown Janesville on Main street, right next to the Main Street Saloon. Music starts at 8 pm and I expect to have a few of my local musician-friends join me for a jam session. Should be a great time.
I will also be playing this Friday - January 16 - at the Janesville Country Club, starting at 6 pm.
For those who have not been able to see Discover Janesville yet, you can check out the premier episode at www.DiscoverJanesville.blogspot.com. I expect to be taping the next episode in a couple of weeks, to be broadcast on JATV shortly thereafter.
Time is running out! If you would like to help out the Janesville Noon Lions and possibly win a 42" Panasonic Pasma HDTV in our raffle, please contact me asap. I still have a few tickets left and they are only $10! 2nd prize is $250 cash and 3rd prize is $100.
Looking to get some piano lessons? Call me at 608-754-2424.

"Winter"

Here is a video I put together using my composition "Winter" from "Piano Originals" and some of the photographs that I took over the past few winters in Janesville.