Elegia Waltz

In 1994, I attended an international conference of those involved in the fruit production and retail business in Budapest, to which I was invited by the late Tom Haulik, then representing the South African fruit business in Eastern Europe. Whilst there I could not resist the temptation to try out a white grand piano with an extremely rich tone. An imposing looking man with an authoritative air approached me to say, "Stop playing, Mikhail, and go and sell some fruit."

He was JB Kriel, a prominent figure in the South African fruit business, a man who had laid the foundations of the South African global fruit export trade. I took his advice, and joined the South Africans on a fascinating "fruit safari." Our association has so far lasted over twenty years.

But old habits die hard. Music continued to sound in my ears, and beautiful melodies woke me up by night, pleading to be born. To turn these musical ideas into song, a good lyricist is needed, and I found one in Ges Hartley, a lyricist living near Cambridge, England. Incidentally, he is a relative of mine by marriage, and we are "in tune" on many a matter!

The true beauty of a song is only revealed a s a result of the combined talents and expertise of the musical arrangers, musicians and singers. Such a team was found in Stellenbosch in South Africa. That team responded to our song with enthusiasm, and brought out the message with skill and insight.

What you hear in this album was produced at Jürgen von Wechmar's Sunset Recording Studios by the talents of the fine arranger and musician, Melissa van der Spuy who sings most of the songs and fellow musicians: Albert Frost (vocals, guitar), Anjulie Nock (cello), Shane Cooper (bass guitar), Kevin Gibson (drums), Wilken Calitz (violin). I must add a special mention for Eric Puleni, Brendon Adonis, Andile Ngqumaza, and Sicelo Fatman of the Abakhanyisi Brothers, the African Vocal Group performing on Lied van Jong Suid Africa.

The original picture of wild Africa on the cover of this album is created by my daughter, Elena, who lives in London.

This album would not have been possible without the sponsorship of my colleagues in the South African and Russian fruit industry, namely: Freek Dreyer of Zestfruit, Piet Smit of Bosveld Sitrus, Barend Vorster of Mahela Boerdery, Gabrie van Eden of Goede Hoop, Aisie Sinclair of Ocean South Fresh, Hendrik Schoeman of Schoeman Boerdery, Jock Danckwerts of Kat River Citrus, Max Le Roux of Van Doorn, Vladimir Borisenko of Baltic Reefer Lines, St. Petersburg, Vladimir and Alexander Gulyaev of Tropic Group, Tula, Evgeni Kabanov of Kubanagroprod, Moscow. Specials thanks to Antoinette and Milaan Thalwitzer, Amanda and Edward Vorster, Launa and Freek Dreyer who, incidentally, bravely represented South Africa at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, waving the colourful South African flag to the admiration of appreciative spectators.

Spasibo!

Join me in my songwriting safari into Africa, and enjoy the journey as much as I have done in working with so many wonderful people to produce some memorable music.

Mikhail

Track listing:

1. Heat
Music by M Fateev
Lyrics by Ges Hartley, M van der Spuy

2. Pity Me
Music by M Fateev
Lyrics by Ges Hartley

3. A Snow Dance
Music by M Fateev
Lyrics by Ges Hartley

4. My Harbour
Music by M Fateev, M van der Spuy
Lyrics by M Fateev, M van der Spuy

5. Big and Bad
Music by M Fateev
Lyrics by Ges Hartley, M van der Spuy

6. Moon White
Music by M Fateev
Lyrics by Ges Hartley

7. Elegia Waltz
Music by M Fateev

8. Lied van Jong Suid Afrika
Music by M Fateev, M van der Spuy
Lyrics by M van der Spuy, J von Wechmar

9. My Hawe
Music by M Fateev, M van der Spuy
Lyrics by M van der Spuy

Album Credits

Produced by Melissa van der Spuy and Jürgen von Wechmar
All arrangements by Melissa van der Spuy
Recorded and Mixed by Jürgen von Wechmar at Sunset Recording Studios, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Mastered by Tim Lengfeld at TL Mastering, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Feature Ensemble Musicians

Mikhail Fateev
- Piano on Elegia Waltz

Melissa van der Spuy:
- Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Accordion, Percussion, Programming

Albert Frost:
- Vocals and Guitars

Kevin Gibson:
- Drums and Percussion

Shane Cooper:
- Upright Double Bass

Anjulie Nock:
- Cello

Additional Musicians

Wilken Calitz:
- Violin

Abakhanyisi Brothers:
- Eric Puleni, Brendon Adonis, Andile Ngqumaza, Sicelo Fatman - African Vocal Group

Jürgen von Wechmar:
- Guitars and Programming