“Shtrykov plays with a luscious, liquid tone of which I am sure Brahms would have approved. ”
Belarusian-born American clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov [pronounced: sh-TRY-koff] is quickly gaining renown as an artist of remarkable charisma and extraordinary musicianship, and has been hailed for “clarity that’s viscerally breathtaking” (Lucid Culture). In a review of his debut album MusicWeb International wrote "Shtrykov plays with a luscious, liquid tone of which I am sure Brahms would have approved." A recipient of the Artists International Special Presentation Award, Maksim made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall's intimate Weill Recital Hall in 2007. A passionate advocate of clarinet music, he is on a continuous quest of expanding his instrument’s repertoire, bringing to light rarely performed masterpieces by forgotten masters, and pushing the boundaries of the instrument with his transcriptions of the string and woodwind repertoire.
New Video
PROKOFIEV: Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34 | Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo with Erde Quartet live from Gotanda Cultural Center, Tokyo.
Next Concert
OCT 11, 2025 • 7:30PM
TRIO CONFERO
Maksim Shtrykov, clarinet
Julia Kang, cello
Misuzu Tanaka, piano
BEETHOVEN: Trio in E-flat Major for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Op. 38
Paul JUON: Trio-Miniaturen, Op. 18a, 24a
ZEMLINSKY: Trio in D Minor for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Op. 3
New Album
Epilogues
Maksim Shtrykov, clarinet • Misuzu Tanaka, piano
Epilogues honors three composers' swan songs for a wind, inextricably interwoven with piano parts of wondrous sophistication. They are not mere postscripts to careers, pale codicils to august musical testaments, a lesser afterglow. Indeed not! These sonates-adieux by three towering masters are among the very finest works for clarinet.
Critical Acclaim
"Clairvoyant Collaborators”
Classics Today reviews Debut Album Epilogues by Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo
“The title “Epilogues” refers to the fact that Brahms, Saint-Saëns, and Poulenc wrote clarinet sonatas at the end of their composing careers. More importantly, clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka serve up world-class performances of these works that yield nothing to competing catalog versions.”
Jed Distler, Classics Today
"A real affection behind the enterprise: affection for the composers and between the musicians."
MusicWeb International reviews album Epilogues
It is a strange thing that three composers as different as Brahms, Saint-Saëns and Poulenc should each have turned to the clarinet late in their respective careers. It goes without saying almost that the sound of the clarinet provokes the idea of the autumnal shading into the wintry – or perhaps autumnal masterpieces such as the clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms have imprinted these associations in our minds? Either way, these ‘last thoughts’ are the theme of this lovely album. The title ‘Epilogues’ seems appropriate since all three works sit outside the main body of each composer’s work, reflecting on a life in a largely low key, somewhat nostalgic manner.
Live Videos
Live from Gotanda Cultural Center, Tokyo
The original version for basset clarinet. Live from Suginami Koukaidou Hall, Tokyo, Japan
(transcribed for Clarinet & Piano by Maksim Shtrykov)