W&J to kick off series with piano duo
WASHINGTON – Washington & Jefferson College’s Vilar Distinguished Artist Series will begin the New Year with the sounds of Katia and Marielle Labeque, the world’s foremost piano duo, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in the Olin Fine Arts Center. The performance will include works by George Greshwin, Maurice Ravel and excerpts from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” featuring guest artists Colin Currie and Julio Barreto, acclaimed percussionists.The pianists are known not only for the seamless ensemble of their playing, but also for their superlative musicianship and extraordinary scope of repertoire that ranges from Bach, Mozart and Schubert to Stravinsky, Gershwin, Bernstein and the avant-garde composers of the 20th century. The Labeques appear regularly on television.
Their first recording with Philips, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” received a Gold Disc immediately after its release. Since then, Katia and Marielle Labeque have made numerous recordings for Philips, Sony and EMI. In addition, they have recorded a collection of contemporary jazz pieces “Love of Colours” and Sony Classical has produced a videodisc “The Loves of Emma Bardac.”
Born on the Basque coast of France near the Spanish border, Katia and Marielle learned to play piano at a young age from their Italian mother who was a well-known piano teacher and musician. Later, they attended the Paris Conservatorie, where they were both awarded First Prizes. Tickets are $20. For additional information, call 724-223-OLIN (6546)