Piano Duo of Prof. Claude Cymerman and Stephanie Gurga '06 In Concert March 5

February 27, 2007

Music Sample: [Download Audio: "Hear Bolcom's Recuerdos" - 724kb]

February 27, 2007, Greencastle, Ind. - Pianists Claude Cymerman and Stephanie Gurga present "Unheard Of" compositions for two pianos, Monday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Thompson Recital Hall. Including eclectic jazz and tango works, the entertaining program will interest the amateur listener as well as the seasoned concert attendee.

The duo of Cymerman, professor of piano at the DePauw University School of Music and his student Gurga, a 2006 graduate of DePauw, has performed widely in the United States and abroad, both as soloists and together. They've previously appeared together at L'Academie Internationale de Flaine, France; L'Atelier de l'Artiste in St. Briac, France; and on DePauw's Greencastle campus. 

Dedicated to performing contemporary music that is both cutting-edge and yet accessible to the audience, both pianists -- though classically trained -- enjoy exploring repertoire written in diverse idioms, from jazz to Latin and Spanish influenced dances. The Monday evening program will include the rarely-performed "Points on Jazz" suite by Dave Brubeck (whose works include Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk). Also included will be the Bolcom Recuerdos, tangos by Piazzolla, and the fiery Paganini Variations by Lutoslawski.

At the age of 23, Stephanie Gurga is already an established soloist and chamber musician in the United States and abroad, performing frequently as pianist, organist, and harpsichordist. A top prize-winner in several competitions, including 2nd place at the 2004 International Competition of Flaine, France, first prizes in chamber music and musicianship at L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris in 2005, and first prize at the Indianapolis Matinée Musicale, she continues to forge ahead in performance and scholarship.

"It is thrilling to be able to play with Claude," Gurga says. "His extraordinary teaching ability and musicianship have transformed my playing, as he seeks to 'teach by doing' -- encouraging my performances, being willing to perform with me, explore repertoire, and pass down musical traditions as they were passed down to him."

A native of France, Cymerman graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris with highest honors, winning several national and international competitions, including the grand prize at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud contest. The late French President Georges Pompidou, in a special ceremony, recognized him as "Outstanding Pianist." Cymerman performs extensively as a recitalist and chamber musician, and made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1985 with violinist Sherban Lupu (followed by a CD recording of works by Georges Enesco on the Continuum label), and has since played four additional concerts there. A member of the DePauw faculty since 1974, Cymerman was named the John C. and Lillian W. Siegesmund Professor of Music in 1996 in recognition of his outstanding teaching and artistic accomplishments.

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