DUO BENZAKOUN

Laurence et Daniel BENZAKOUN  PIANOS

    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 and Rachmaninoff.

    The Duo BENZAKOUN performs extensively in concert halls worldwide (details available
under the «concerts» heading). 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 Norway, Italy, Austria, Israel, Mexico, Canada and Cyprus.
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 J.-Y. 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’œil 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 Schubert for piano duet.

Bienvenue sur le site internet du Duo BENZAKOUN

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