Born in Moscow, Russia on October 17, 1956.
At the age of six started to play alto horn in a brass orchestra at the Kuntsevo District Young Pioneers House in Moscow.
1967 to 1974: the Moscow Military Music School.
1974 to 1976: the orchestra at the Lenin Military Political Academy, Soviet Armed Forces.
1976 to 1981: studied French horn at the Gnesins State Music Education Institute (now Gnesins Russian Academy of Music.)
1978 to 1985: member of the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra.
1985 to 1989: member of the Moscow State Philharmonic Orchestra.
1976 to 1978: along with his studies at the Gnesins, takes courses in jazz improvisation at the Moscow Experimental Studio of Music Improvisation (now Moscow College of Improvised Music.)
1984 to 1986: first serious experience in jazz, a french horn - acoustic bass duo (with bassist Mikhail Karetnikov).
1985 to 1989: member of "Three O", with Sergey Letov (saxes, flutes) and Arkady Kirichenko (tuba, vocal).
Since 1988: duo with Mikhail «Misha» Alperin (piano). Their first ECM album «Wave Of Sorrow» (1989) was the first russian album on ECM. Later on, Shilkloper participated in three more Alperin recordings for ECM: «North Story» (1997), «First Impression» (1999, with John Surman), «Her First Dance» (2008, with Anja Lechner).
In 1990, the Alperin-Shilkloper duo invites Sergey Starostin, a Moscow Conservatory-educated clarinetist and a dedicated researcher of Russian authentic folklore music, which results in the creation of Moscow Art Trio. The trio tours regularly, though its members now live in three different countries; it is one of the most interesting and well-known Ethno Jazz groups from Russia. In Russia, their albums were released by Boheme Music; in Europe, by Jaro.
Since 1992, Arkady Shilkloper performs solo.
Since 1995, Arkady Shilkloper plays in Pago Libre Quartet with austrian violinist Tscho Theissing, swiss pianist John Wolf Brennan and austrian bassist Georg Breinschmid.
Since 1998, Arkady also plays alphorn, quite an unusual instrument for improvised music. Arkady rates one of the best of the few existing jazz performers on alphorn.
In 1998 — 2002 Arkady Shilkloper performed with Vienna Art Orchestra.
In 2000, Arkady put together the Mauve Trio with brazilian guitar player Alegre Correa and austrian bassist Georg Breinschmid. Their debut album «Mauve» (Quinton, 2002) was awarded the prestigious Hans Koller Prize of Austria as the «CD Of The Year».
Arkady Shilkloper plays concerts and gives master-classes around the world (about 100 in a year!!!): Russia, Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Panama, China, Korea, Australia...
He is playing with Mikhail Alperin, Sergey Starostin, Sergei Nakariakov, Denis Matsuev, Daniel Schnyder, Georg Breinschmid, Uri Brener, WDR Big Band, Vince Mendoza Orchestra, Geir Lysne Ensemble, VSP Orkestra, Christian Muthspiel Octet Ost, Tonkünstler Orchestra, Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Berner Symphonieorchester, Bremen Philharmonic Orchestra, Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Crested Butte Festival Orchestra, Basel Symphony Orchestra, Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie, Norvegian Chamber Orchestra, «Kremlin» (Mikhail Rahlevsky), «Musica Viva», «Moscow Soloists», «Hermitage Ensemble of Soloists» (Alexey Utkin), Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra and many others...
The Press
"Los Angeles Times", 26/11/90, by Leonard Feather:
Moscow, Ida - It is a long trip from Moscow to Moscow, but for Arkady Shilkloper it was worth the effort. The Soviet French horn virtuoso was one of four Jazzmen from the Soviet Union who arrived here last week to take part in the 23rd annual University of Idaho Jazz Festival at his home town's namesake city. Shilkloper, 33, on his first visit to the United States was the artistic sensation of the four-day event.
"Horncall", 1988, by Jeffrey Agrell:
Shilkloper and his bass player swing like nobody's business. He rips and riffs and goes places that horn players aren't supposed to go without a net, map, seat belt, crash helmet, overhead air support, and a note from their mothers. And he does so with extraordinary ease and musicality. I think maybe nobody ever told him "Jazz playing on horn is very difficult, and probably not natural or perhaps the phrase does not translate into Russian. I'd walk a camel a mile to hear this guy.
"Jazz Times", June 1994, by Leonard Feather:
"Another was the incredible Arkady Shilkloper, who brought his French horn from Moscow, Russia to Moscow, Idaho His control of the instrument, and his blowing creativity have set a new standard, even Julius Watkins, his idol never produced such results."
"The Independent", London:
"Unlike other European groups... the Moscow Art Trio don't have to try to sound Post-Modem, they just are, and in a way that is what makes what they play look and sound both utterly contemporary and timeless... Once word gets out, this will be the band to book for every Festival going".
Arkady Shilkloper, intro from the DVD "EM in der Praxis". Thanks to EM e.V. Deutschland.
Discography
Arkady Shilkloper - "Hornology", Boheme Music CDBMR 809016 Arkady Shilkloper & Acoustic Quartet - "The Brass Complot", Boheme Music Arkady Shilkloper - "Pilatus", Boheme Music
Vienna Art Orchestra - All That Strauss, TCB 2000 Mikhail Alperin's Moscow Art Trio - Hamburg Concert, JARO 4201-2 Mikhail Alperin's Moscow Art Trio - Once Upon a Time JARO 4238-2
(M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice; S.Starostin-voc,cl,folk reeds.) Mikhail Alperin - North Story, ECM The Bulgarian Voices "Angelite" & Moscow Art Trio With Huun-Huur-Tu - Mountain Tale, JARO 4212-2
CDs released outside of Russia:
1999-2000:
Mikhail Alperin - First Impression, ECM 1999 Pago Libre - Wake Up Call (Live in Italy), Leo Records 1999 Vienna Art Orchestra - Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love, TCB 1999 Vienna Art Orchestra - All That Strauss, TCB 2000
1989-1998:
Mikhail Alperin / Arkady Shilkloper - Wave Of Sorrow, ECM 1396 Germany (M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice; A.Shilkloper-frh, jagdhorn, flh,voice.) Mikhail Alperin - Folk Dreams, JARO 4187-2 Germany (M.Alperin-p,keyb,perc,voice; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh; Sergey Starostin-voc, folk reeds. Guests: Folk Choir "Russkaya Pesnja", Nadezhda Babkina-ld.) Mikhail Alperin/Arkady Shilkloper/Sergei Starostin - Prayer, RDM 301006 (Russia), Silex Y225039 (France), JARO 4193-2 (Germany)
(M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice,perc; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice; S.Starostin- voice, folk reeds; Guests: Tuva folk Ensemble&Russian Folk Ensemble.) Mikhail Alperin's Moscow Art Trio - Hamburg Concert, JARO 4201-2 (Germany)
M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice; S.Starostin-voc,cl,folk reeds. Mikhail Alperin - North Story, ECM 1596 Germany
(M.Alperin-p; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh; Tore Brunborg-ts; Terje Gewelt-b; Jon Christensen-dr.) The Bulgarian Voices "Angelite" & Moscow Art Trio With Huun-Huur-Tu - Mountain Tale, JARO 4212-2
The Bulgarian Voices "Angelite", conductor Valentin Velkov;
Moscow Art Trio: M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice,cowbells; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice; Sergei Starostin--voc,cl,folk reeds.
Huun-Huur-Tu: Kaigal-ool Khovalyg-voc,igil,toschpulur,tschansy; Anatoly Kuular-voc,byzaanchi,khomuz,amarga; Sayan Bapa-voc,doshpuluur,marinhuur,g; Alexey Saryglar-voc,tungur,dazhaaning khavy.
Musical director - M.Alperin. Kim Kristensen & Ildvaeverne, Storyville STCD 4193 Denmark
(Kim Kristensen-p,syn; A.Shilkloper-frh; Jesper Zeuthen-as,bcl; Flemming Agerskov-tp,flh; Thomas Agergaard-ss,ts,fl; Gustavo Toker-bandoneon; Hans Andersen-b; Peter Danemo-dr.) Pago Libre, L + R CDLR45105 Germany
(John Wolf Brennan-p; Tscho Theissing-vi; Daniele Patume-b; A.Shilkloper-frh.) Karl Berger Orchestra - No Man Is An Island, Douglas Music ADC4
Jean Louis Matinier-acc; Enrico Rava-tp; A.Shilkloper-frh; Bernd Konrad-cl,saxes; Ernst Reijseger-cello; Marc Abrams-b; Billy Elgart-dr,perc; The Mutare String Trio; Ingrid Sertso-voice; K.Berger-comp,cond,p,vib. Christian Muthspiel - Octet Ost II, Amadeo 521 823 (Austria)
Ch.Muthspiel-tb; Tomasz Stanko-tp; A.Shilkloper-french horn; Petras Vysniauskas- sax; A.Vapirov-sax; Bela Szaloky-tb,bass tp; Mikulas Skuta-p; V.Tarasov-dr. Rhapsody In Russia: A Gershwin Celebration, Sheffield Lab CD-28 (USA)
Lincoln Mayorga-p; Moscow Philarmonic Orchestra, Dmitry Kitayenko-cond; Arkady Shilkloper-frh (on one track); Stan Ricker-b. VOSSA JAZZ XX, Vossa Jazz Records, VJ 96 002-2 (Norway)
Sampler with various artists, on one track: Alperin/Shilkloper Duo (M.Alperin-p; A.Shilkloper-frh). Instants D'Annee (Enregistrements "live" a l'occasion des 10 ans de LA SPIRALE), La Spirale (Switzerland)
Sampler with various artists, on one track: M.Alperin-p, A.Shilkloper-frh. Vienna Art Orchestra - "American Rhapsody" (Tribute to Gershwin) (BMG Classic/RCA Victor). Moscow Art Trio - "Music" (JARO)
M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice; S.Starostin-voc,cl,folk reeds. Almost Epilog
CDs released in Russia:
Mikhail Alperin / Arkady Shilkloper / Sergei Starostin - Prayer, RDM 3 01 006 (Russia), Silex Y225039 (France), JARO 4193-2 (Germany)
M.Alperin-p,melodica,voice,perc; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice; S.Starostin - voice, folk reeds. Special guests: Tuva Folk Ensemble & Russian Folk Ensemble. Mikhail Alperin / Arkady Shilkloper - Live In Grenoble, RDM 3 05 015
M.Alperin- p,melodica,voice,perc; A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,voice. Arkady Shilkloper - Hornology, RDM 6 06 144
A.Shilkloper-frh,flh,electronics. Arkady Shilkloper Acoustic Quartet - Zagovor Mednykh (Brass Conspiracy), Ermatell Records JCD 020
A.Shilkloper-frh; Igor Paraschuk-cl,bcl,as; Sergei Pron-tp,flh; Sergei Belichenko-dr. Tri-O - Trialogue, SoLyd Records SLR 0031
Sergei Letov-ss,ts,bars,bcl,fl,zurna; Arkady Shilkloper-frh,jagthorn; Alexander Alexandrov-bassoon,cl; Arkady Kirichenko-euphonium,voc,tu,perc. Arkady Shilkloper, Andrey Kondakov, Vladimir Volkov, Christian Scheuber - "Live In Norway", Boheme Music CDBMR 809007
A.Shilkloper-frh; Andrey Kondakov - p, Vladimir Volkov - b, Christian Scheuber - dr Cobra Julius Blues
Moscow Art Trio - "Live In Karlsruhe", Boheme Music CDBMR 809010
Misha Alperin - p; Arkady Shilkloper - frh; Sergei Starostin - voc, cl, ethnic woodwinds Misha Alperin , Arkady Shilkloper - "Live In Grenoble", Boheme Music CDBMR 809006
Misha Alperin - p; Arkady Shilkloper - frh Arkady Shilkloper, Vladimir Volkov, Sergei Starostin - "XIX98", Boheme Music CDBMR 810029
A.Shilkloper-frh; Vladimir Volkov - b; Sergei Starostin - voc, cl, ethnic woodwinds Tanya-Tanyusha Balkan Miniature Rejoice
Moscow Art Trio - "Prayer", Boheme Music CDBMR 809009
Misha Alperin - p; Arkady Shilkloper - frh; Sergei Starostin - voc, cl, ethnic woodwinds Funeral Prayer Troika
Arkady Shilkloper - "Hornology", Boheme Music CDBMR 809016
Arkady Shilkloper - frh He Descended From the Heaven Virgin Ocean Tales for Alexandra
Arkady Shilkloper & Acoustic Quartet - "The Brass Complot", Boheme Music CDBMR 809008
A.Shilkloper-frh; Igor Paraschuk-cl,bcl,as; Sergei Pron-tp,flh; Sergei Belichenko-dr. Quartet
Arkady Shilkloper - "Pilatus", Boheme Music CDBMR 906063
A.Shilkloper - frh, flh, alpenhorn, Wagner's tuba, corna da caccio Song For Everyone Funky Etude Pilatus
