October 2010 - March 2011
22 October - Newton, MA
23 October - Hampton, CT
November - San Francisco, CA
November - Los Angeles, CA
November - Maui Hawaii
The Bekkers Piano Guitar Duo from the Netherlands will be visiting the USA. Dutch guitarist Robert Bekkers and Brunei-born Chinese pianist Anne Ku have two different programs (traditional and contemporary) to whet everyone’s appetite. They will also be offering guitar and piano workshops and lecture-recitals on piano/guitar repertoire.
Spearheading the way for the revival of piano and guitar as duo, Bekkers and Ku have been actively working with instrument makers, composers, and chamber musicians to develop a powerful blend. The combination of the modern piano with Robert’s custom-built guitar guarantees an ensemble that is greater than their instruments.
The piano and guitar were commonly heard in the early part of the 19th century. Composers such as Hummel, Giuliani, and Carulli wrote and performed for this combination, but their works are rarely played today because of acoustic imbalance and other technical challenges.
The guitar remained in the background until Segovia championed the instrument for the concert stage. He and his pianist wife inspired 20th century composers like Ponce and Tedesco to write for this magnificent combination.
Even more possibilities exist in the 21st century. The Bekkers Duo has premiered new works composed for their duo in Spain, Italy, Maui, and throughout the Netherlands.
This has resulted in a unique program of new and exciting music which they plan to record for their next CD.
To expand the piano guitar repertoire even further, Bekkers has arranged many famous pieces for this polyphonic ensemble: Handel’s the arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and Bach’s Badinerie, to name a few.
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