It was a wonderful feeling to perform Grand Duet: Windows into contrasting worlds in Melbourne on the weekend (August 31). A DeClassifed Music project, the program was a cello and piano recital which indeed offered contrasting windows into the captivating worlds of commanding composers who are not heard enough: Rita Strohl and Nadia Boulanger from France, and Galina Ustvolskaya from Soviet Russia.
Cellist Christopher Pidcock and I started with Strohl's ‘Dramatic Sonata’, keeping the piano lid down to allow me to play many many notes whilst keeping it a Grand Duet - but I lifted the piano lid fully for the Boulanger 'Three Pieces' and to be absolutely present for the music by Ustvolskaya, her 'Grand Duet'.
I loved the Tempo Rubato venue with their Stuart & Son's concert piano, and send my thanks to the wonderful audience, especially those who gave us and this music a standing ovation.
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