Piano Duo play two concerti for two pianos

Jan 31, 2007

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

SPOKANE: Maestro Eckart Preu and the Spokane Symphony will explore the motivations of three very different composers on Friday, Feb. 9 at 8 pm. at the INB Performing Arts Center. A peace offering for an estranged sister, a sparkling diversion for French nobility, a powerful retelling of an epic tale in the support of Russian nationalism these are the reasons for Facing Eternity. Celebrated piano duo, Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg, will perform two Concerti for Two Pianos with the symphony. In addition, concertgoers will have the opportunity of hearing Children of the Sun by Hans-Peter Preu, elder brother of Eckart Preu.

Written for a brother and a sister and for a pair of good friends, tonight's two concertos emphasize the pleasures of virtuoso teamwork —and occasional rivalry! — rather than a lone artist striving to show off his individuality. The concert begins with Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos, written as a gift for his older sister, Maria Anna (nicknamed Nannerl). The talented sibling of a genius, children Nannerl and Mozart toured Europe as dual prodigies. As they grew, Wolfgang became the star, and Nannerl became the household drudge. When Mozart left home against his father's wishes, he wrote this piece as a remembrance of the glory days when they performed together.

Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos was meant to be a beautiful entertainment, originally created to amuse noble patrons. It quotes Mozart's concerto, but quickly informs the listener this is music from another century. Wildly eclectic, this sparkling work also combines influences from Ravel, Stravinsky, music-hall entertainments and Balinese gamelan music. Poulenc intended the piece to be played by Poulenc himself and his close friend.

Reinhold Glière's Il'ya Muromets is a buried musical treasure: a spectacular program symphony celebrating the epic power of Russian folklore and musical Romanticism that will be a wonderful discovery for musicians and listeners alike. Based on legends surrounding the historical knight Il'ya Mouromets, vassal of Prince Vladimir circa 1000 CE, the music reflects Reinhold's life-long interest in Russian nationalism.

Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg, two of the most brilliant and promising young Israeli pianists, founded the Silver-Garburg Piano Duo in 1997. Within a few years, they were a remarkable piano-duo on the international stages, having performed extensively in nearly 40 countries on the five continents to enthusiastic acclaim by music audiences and critics.

They recently completed three tours to North America including a performance hosted by Yzhak Perlman at New York's Lincoln Center; three tours to Latin America, three tours to East Asia, and two tours in Australia. In addition, their engagements for this period include performances in more than a dozen European countries.

In addition to their recitals on two pianos and on one piano, four hands, the Silver-Garburg Piano Duo performs concerti for two pianos with numerous orchestras, among them the Jerusalem Symphony, NDR (North German Radio) Radiophilharmonie, Mexico Philharmonic and soloists of the Bavarian Radio Symphony. Their newly released CD was recorded for NDR Hamburg and features works by Borodin, Brahms and Stravinsky.

Born in Israel in the 1970's, Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg are graduates of the Thelma Yellin High School for the Arts. They studied at the Rubin Music Academy at the Tel-Aviv University and are studying for their "Solo" degree with Prof. Arie Vardi at the "Hochschule für Musik und Theater" in Hanover, Germany. Both were recipients of America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarships. Aside from their intensive performing activities Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg present Master-Classes to students at various academic institutes. Since October 2001 they hold a teaching position at the Hanover Musikhochschule in Germany.

Silver and Garburg will be giving an auditioned Master Class, which is open to the public, on Tuesday, Feb.6 at 7 p.m. at Whitworth University. In addition, Silver and Garburg will be featured on Classical Chat on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 12:15 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. The program will be broadcast live on City Cable 5. On the night of the concert, there will be a pre-concert talk given by Eckart Preu at 7 p.m. at the INB Performing Arts Center.

As one of the Symphony YES! series, sponsored by STCU, it will include educational activates for children ages 8 and up before the concert and during intermission, including the opportunity to meet Silver and Garburg.

The Facing Eternity concert is made possible by the generous support of Itron.

Tickets range from $17 to $39 and are available Monday through Friday from 9:30-5:00 p.m. at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at 818 West Riverside Avenue or by calling (509) 624-1200. Tickets are also available, with a service charge, at www.spokanesymphony.org or through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.