Kira Kraftzoff
Leader and founder of the Rastrelli Cello quartet, Kira Kraftzoff has been playing the cello since he was only six years old. He was born in 1971 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He attended The Special Music School for Highly Talented Children in St. Petersburg. His first public debut arrived when he was 14 years old when he performed in The Grand Concert Hall of St. Petersburg Philharmony.
Kraftzoff was the youngest finalist in history in the All USSR Cello Competition in 1988. He has participated in numerous All-Russian Cello Competitions, and has won many awards and diplomas from them. Kraftzoff graduated in 1994 with honors from St. Petersburg State Conservatory. After that, he was a teaching assistant to Professor Anatoly Nikitin for four years.
In 1993, he represented St. Petersburg Conservatory in Mstislav Rostropovicr's first master class in Russia after his long exile. Kraftzoff has continued to win numerous prizes and awards from various music competitions, and has played in some of the greatest concert halls around the world.
Kraftzoff was the youngest finalist in history in the All USSR Cello Competition in 1988. He has participated in numerous All-Russian Cello Competitions, and has won many awards and diplomas from them. Kraftzoff graduated in 1994 with honors from St. Petersburg State Conservatory. After that, he was a teaching assistant to Professor Anatoly Nikitin for four years.
In 1993, he represented St. Petersburg Conservatory in Mstislav Rostropovicr's first master class in Russia after his long exile. Kraftzoff has continued to win numerous prizes and awards from various music competitions, and has played in some of the greatest concert halls around the world.
Sergio Drabkin
Sergio Drabkin, born in 1953 in Polotsk Byelorussia, has been playing the cello for most of his life. He studied at the Minsk State Conservatory; he was also a member of the Minsk Chamber Orchestra. Before the Rastrelli Cello Quartet, he was a member of various ensembles including the Byelorussia State Quartet, the Ensemble of Ancient Music, and other German and international orchestras.
Drabkin creates the arrangements for the Rastrelli Cello Quartet, and mixes up his style whenever he can. He combines unexpected pieces together to create a new form of music. Drabkin has also written arrangements for other famous musicians. Included in these are James Galaway, Irena Grafenauer, Michaela Petri, Gloria Feidman, and the Wuerttemberger Kammerorchester.
Drabkin creates the arrangements for the Rastrelli Cello Quartet, and mixes up his style whenever he can. He combines unexpected pieces together to create a new form of music. Drabkin has also written arrangements for other famous musicians. Included in these are James Galaway, Irena Grafenauer, Michaela Petri, Gloria Feidman, and the Wuerttemberger Kammerorchester.
Kirill Timofeev
Kirill Timofeev, born in 1978 in St. Petersburg, is one of the youngest members of the Rastrelli Cello Quartet. He studied at the St. Petersburg State Conservatoire, and for five years studied under Professor Anatoly Nikitin. He graduated in 2001 and has been all over the world since. While he was in school, he studied chamber music, basso continuo, and ancient music. From 2003 to 2005 he studied at the Music College in Stuttgart.
Timofeev has performed solos around Russia, and has won cello contests in various places over the years. He also played as the cellist of a piano trio in the Caltanissetta Chamber Music Contest in Italy. Kirill Timofeev played in the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Soloists chamber orchestra for two years. Kirill has appeared in more ensembles and solo events in Europe, Russia, and the United States.
Timofeev has performed solos around Russia, and has won cello contests in various places over the years. He also played as the cellist of a piano trio in the Caltanissetta Chamber Music Contest in Italy. Kirill Timofeev played in the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Soloists chamber orchestra for two years. Kirill has appeared in more ensembles and solo events in Europe, Russia, and the United States.
Misha Degtjareff
Misha Degtjareff was born in 1978 in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1985, he entered a the secondary music school, St. Petersburg Conservatoire. He studied there from 1996 to 2001 under the highly praised Professor Anatoly Nikitin and his teaching assisstant Kira Kraftzoff.
Degtjareff performed in concerts around the school in the St. Petersburg Cello Ensemble. He performed in the concert halls of St. Petersburg, including the Small Philharmonic Hall, Cappella concert hall, and A. K. Glazunov Hall. In 1996, Misha won the Young Russian Talents contest. He participated in other orchestras and ensembles, and studied under some of the greatest musicians in Russia. Misha composes his own versions of classical, pop, and contemporary music.
Degtjareff performed in concerts around the school in the St. Petersburg Cello Ensemble. He performed in the concert halls of St. Petersburg, including the Small Philharmonic Hall, Cappella concert hall, and A. K. Glazunov Hall. In 1996, Misha won the Young Russian Talents contest. He participated in other orchestras and ensembles, and studied under some of the greatest musicians in Russia. Misha composes his own versions of classical, pop, and contemporary music.