Composer

“Shapovalov found his own musical language distinguished by vivid imagery and some kind of theatricality.” – “Musicum”

In 2016 Shapovalov discovered his composer’s talent which was highly acclaimed by both critics and audiences. He has been applauded for his compositions at the international festivals all over Russia, as well as in Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania, and Georgia.

Willing to expand his musical horizons, Denis started composing experiments in 2007. Being a fan of “Pink Floyd”, Shapovalov tried his hand at composing rock music for the first time. In 2008 he had produced a conceptual album “Above the Earth” which later formed the base for his crossover multimedia project. The premiere of the project was crowned with success at the Moscow International Performing Arts Center at the Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art. Denis didn’t attach much importance to this way of expression and stopped to compose for nearly a decade.

September 2016 was highlighted with a premiere of Shapo’s first Cello Concerto “Concerto di Bravura” which was held at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

In June 2017 at the Festival ArtDialog in Switzerland Denis gave the first performance of his “Italian Suite” for cello solo.

Krakow PROMS Festival commissioned Shapovalov a piece for electric cello and symphony orchestra – “Rock-variations on a Rococo theme by Tchaikovsky“ had great success in Krakow Opera House in 2017.

In 2018 Shapo composed a new concerto for cello and symphony orchestra dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich – Fantasia-Concerto “Rencontres Musicales”. World premiere was presented in 2018 at the historical stage of Rostropovich Philharmony in Nizhny Novgorod was heartily appreciated.

In 2019 at the Siberian Festival “The 60th parallel” Shapo presented and conducted the new composition “Symphony in Rock style” which was greeted with hearty standing ovation, and became the basis of the unique crossover project “Rock vs Rococo. Classical battle”.

January 2020 was highlighted with a new composition and premiere of the Vocal cycle “Christmas star” for cello and chamber choir – 8 songs on Christmas poems by Russian poets.

In 2021 the Symphony Fantasy “Tchaikovsky- Dvorak. A letter to a dearest friend”, was commissioned by Zaryadye Moscow Concert Hall. The premiere with Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra was recorded by Russian State TV Channel “Kultura”.

Shapovalov writes rock music under the pseudonym Denis Wonderland.


Through experiments with genres, tunes and coloring Shapovalov found his own musical language distinguished by vivid imagery and some kind of theatricality. – “Musicum” 

Shapovalov skillfully juggled various musical genres without losing the listeners’ attention even for a moment, rushing from Baroque with its swellbow strokes and acoustic effect of an echo to rock with expressive riffs and growling quints. – “Musicum” 

"Concerto di Bravura" for cello and strings, Moscow State Conservatory, 2016
"Tchaikovsky-Dvorak. A letter to a dearest friend", Zaryadye Concert Hall, 2021
Fantaisie de concert "Rencontres Musicales", Rostropovich Philharmony in Nizhny Novgorod, 2018