Caprice sounds like the soundtrack to a high-fantasy world that actually exists just out of the corner of your eye. It is music of immense technical precision, performed by conservatory-trained musicians who have dedicated themselves to the aesthetics of the ethereal. The sound is dominated by the interplay of harp, flute, and the glass-shattering clarity of Inna Brejestovskaya’s soprano, creating a texture that feels both ancient and immaculately polished.
What sets them apart is the 'Elven' concept, which isn't just a lyrical theme but a total sonic philosophy. Anton Brejestovski’s compositions use unusual scales and an invented language called Laoris to evoke a sense of 'otherness' that avoids the clichés of typical folk-fantasy. There is a subtle undercurrent of electronic processing that adds a ghostly, modern sheen to the traditional woodwinds and strings, making the music feel like a transmission from a parallel dimension.
Newcomers should begin with 'Elvenmusic', the first entry in their defining trilogy. It serves as the perfect gateway into their world, blending Tolkien-inspired narratives with sophisticated chamber arrangements. For those who prefer a more grounded but equally poetic experience, 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' showcases their ability to translate classic British poetry into haunting, neoclassical art songs.
Caprice is a Moscow-based Russian neoclassical ensemble distinguished by its acoustic sound (featuring harp, violin, flute, and more) combined with electronic elements and ethereal female vocals. All of the music is composed by Anton Brejestovski. Caprice's musicians also perform in various Russian orchestras, including the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, the State Symphony Capella of Russia, and Yuri Bashmet's New Russia Symphony Orchestra. The group gained recognition through its Elven trilogy Elvenmusic, which also gave a name to their musical style. Caprice was formed in 1996. That same year, the debut album Zerkalo ("Mirror") was recorded. Between 1998 and 2005, the group developed the musical style known as “music of the elves,” recording the Elven trilogy: Elvenmusic (2001), The Evening of Iluvatar’s Children (2003), and Tales of the Uninvited (2005), and later Girdenwodan Part I (2012) and Girdenwodan Part II (2014). A significant part of the group’s work includes compositions based on the poetry of British writers such as William Blake, Robert Burns, Percy Shelley, Alfred Tennyson, Oscar Wilde, and others. This theme is reflected in three albums: Songs of Innocence and Experience (2002), Sister Simplicity (2004), and Kywitt! Kywitt! (2008). In 2009, the group released the meditative album Six Secret Words. In 2012 and 2014, the Girdenwodan duology was released — a stylistic continuation of Elvenmusic. In 2024, after a ten-year silence, the group released an album based on the poetry of Federico García Lorca titled Amargo. It was Caprice’s first self-released album; all previous releases had been published by the label Prikosnovenie.
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