The name of the album reflects the music from a distant country and different times. Also, the performing team of this album is literally “from afar” – from Far East of Russia: duo “Gzhel” and A. Solopov are from Valdivostok, and Antonina Levina – from Kamchatka, the place, where Russia begins on the East side.

Antonina Levina – soprano and producer (Montreal, Canada). Laureate of International Slavic music competition in Slovenia, holds a title of “Ambassador of Russian Romance” from the most prestigious romances competition “Big Moscow Romansiada” (Russia). In 2019, Antonina founded the Canadian Club of Russian Romances with the same name as this album – “Izdaleka” (meaning “From Afar”).

Duo “Gzhel”: Irina Loutsenko (domra, Russian mandolin) and Alexey Loutsenko (Russian accordion, bayan) – laureates and diplomants of international competitions. Graduated from the Far East State Institute of Arts. Worked in different Russians orchestras of folk instruments. Toured in Japan, China, South Korea and the USA. Now lead a busy concert life in Canada.

Alexander Solopov (piano) – Laureate of International piano competitions, graduate of Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatoire and McGill University. Teaches and performs extensively in Canada and internationally. Recorded several solo albums, including his own compositions.

Victoria Mnatsakanova (piano *in 4, 5) – graduate of University of Montreal, teaches piano and performs both as a soloist and a collaborative pianist.