Sun Oct 30, 2:00 pm
Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, Halifax
Duo Benzakoun ~ from FRANCE
Laurence & Daniel Benzakoun, piano

Collaboration with Alliance Francais

Program
Poulenc: Sonate pour piano à quatre mains (1918) Prélude - Rustique - Finale
Debussy: 'La Mer' (deux tableaux) 1. De l'aube à midi sur la mer - 2. Dialogue du vent et de la mer
Ravel: 'Ma Mère l'Oye': La Belle au Bois Dormant - Petit Poucet - Laideronette, impératrice des pagodes - Entretiens de la Belle et la Bête - Jardin Féerique Entracte
Brahms: Danses Hongroises - N° 1 à 6 - N° 15 à 21

Duo Benzakoun
The Duo Benzakoun based in Orléans, France, is acclaimed for its interpretation of an extensive and diverse musical repertoire. The Duo Benzakoun embodies exceptional talent; performing with great ease, emotion and virtuosity the works of celebrated composers such as Mozart, Ravel, Stravinsky or Rachmaninoff.

The Duo Benzakoun performs extensively in concert halls worldwide. Additionally, they have received numerous awards of excellence in international competitions between 1988 and 1991.

Their performances in France include the Salle Cortot, Musique en Sorbonne, la Grange de Nohant, as well as Tours in the Region Centre of the country. The Duo Benzakoun's most recent international tours include appearances in England, Norway, Italy, Austria, Israel, Mexico, Canada, Cyprus, etc. They have also performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and the Chicago Cultural Center.

The Duo Benzakoun's performance repertoire includes Poulenc's Concerto for two pianos under the direction of Jean-Yves Ossonce. They have also created a Spanish music piece with singer-soprano Corinne Sertillanges, entitled Evocación. As well, they periodically perform a critically acclaimed theatrical music performance entitled 'Le Carnaval des Animaux' with the Clin d'oeil company.  

Whatever the occasion, all of the duo's performances onstage are a source of great delight for the audience. Audiences and critics are unanimous: "The two pianists appear as perfect duettists; their main quality lies in the sound balance emanating from the writing, and their capacity to successfully reveal the emotions which transcend the musical work." (Ouest France).

Both pianists hold a Bachelors of Arts degree from the Jerusalem Rubin Academy where they studied with the Eden-Tamir Duet. After an international career of nearly twenty years, the Duo Benzakoun ranks among the best interpreters of the repertoire for two pianos, "piano à quatre mains," and two pianos with orchestra.

Their discography also demonstrates their great talent and active work in the field. The Duo Benzakoun recorded their first CD, Brahms's Work for two pianos in 1994, and they have continued to record several compact discs ever since. For example, in 1999, they recorded Russian music for piano duet (produced by Mandala/distribution Harmonia Mundi).

In 2001, INTEGRAL classic produced a recording dedicated to Ravel's 'Works for two pianos' which was given a score of 8 by Répertoire Magazine. Two years later, INTEGRAL classic produced their third recording Poulenc for two pianos which was widely acclaimed by the press, receiving a 'Recommandé' from Répertoire, and chosen as 'Coup de Coeur' by Piano Magazine.  

Slava, a recording dedicated to Rachmaninov's pieces for duet and two pianos, was released in 2005 and a CD dedicated to Debussy, with a world first recording of 'Sirènes', was released in 2008. A Schubert recording followed in 2009.

"The Duo perform with great ease, emotion and virtuosity, aptly demonstrated on this new recording devoted to Debussy’s works for two pianos." - Presto Classical, September 2009

"Laurence and Daniel offered a recital of an exceptional dimension... the duo showed liberally all facets of his art: the accomplice concentration in the singing parts or the furious energy in the Schubert's Rondo... the Feria of Ravel was the culminating point of an exceptional evening!..." - Le Télégramme, August 2009