Even in the middle of Hurricane Sandy’s strong wind and heavy rain, classic music fans still have something to look forward to. In the evening of Nov. 3, The Long Piano Duo concert will be held at NEC’s Jordan Hall, presented by Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts.
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Hailed as artists who play with cohesiveness of purpose, absolute accuracy of execution and a near spiritual transparency’ (News and Courier, Charleston SC), the Long sisters (Beatrice and Christina) placed first in the 1997 Ellis Duo Piano Competition sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs. In addition to the First Prize, the Long Duo also won the Best Performance of American Music Award, and was immediately invited to perform throughout the United States and Asia. Their live and recorded performances were broadcast on National Public Radio, WQXR New York, WRR Dallas, CBC Canada, and Radio Philharmonic in Taipei among others. |
The Long sisters have enjoyed distinguished solo careers as well. Beatrice has performed as a soloist with the Baltimore Symphony, the National Symphonies of Mexico and Taiwan, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Taipei, Jura Symphony Orchestra of France, Laredo Philharmonic, Ensemble du Monde and New Amsterdam Orchestra of New York among others. She is a medal prize winner in international competitions, which include
the Cleveland International Piano Competition, the World Piano Competition and Cincinnati Piano Competition. Beatrice’s album Scarlatti Sonatas (Naxos) received Four Stars from the BBC Magazine, and the American Record Guide describes her recording of Scriabin Mazurkas (Naxos) as ‘impressive on many levels’. She has been interviewed on Radio France, and TV-NY1.
Christina holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of North Texas, where she received the Dissertation Award for Excellence in Musical Performance. As an active contemporary and chamber musician, she was a founding member of the New England Lyrical Trio. Besides the US, she has performed in Canada, China, Indonesia, Poland and Taiwan where her solo performances were praised for their “elasticity, colors, rhythmic clarity and creative fantasies.”
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Her awards include the first Prize from the Kingsville International Young Artists Competition. Christina has recorded for Centaur Records and has been commissioned by the Ubiquitous Publishing Co. to translate the book “My Life with Great Pianists” by Franz Mohr. She served as an Artist-in-Residence in Southeastern Oklahoma State University, an Assistant Professor of Piano at Tabor College, Kansas and Westfield State College, Massachusetts. |
Program
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte Overture, K. 620 ‘Magic Flute’ (1791) (Transcribed by Ferruccio Busoni)
Messiaen: from Visions de l’Amen (1943)
V. Amen des anges, des saints, du chant des oiseaux
Takeshi Assai: Spring Thunder (2010)
Arensky: from Silhouettes, Opus 23 (1892)
I. The Scholar
II. The Coquette
III. The Buffoon
V. The Dancer
Intermission
Bach: Concerto in C Major for Two Pianos and Strings, BWV 1061a
Bach: Concerto in C minor for Two Pianos and Strings, BWV 1060
Accompanied by “The St. Botolph Strings”, an ensemble consists of 18 top level players from the New England Conservatory, coached by Lynn Chang.
Reviews:
“..with their barnstorming technique….the Taiwan natives allowed every piece they played to speak for itself.” – New York Concert Review
“Long Duo conveyed the music’s extreme psychic vacillations, state of mind the composer experienced… jovial parodies and a compelling sense of direction.” – The Washington Post
Tickets: $15 (Students), $30, $50 (VIP)
100 free student tickets available at www.ChinesePerformingArts.net
(1 per request for age 14 and up) Children under 6 not admitted
Student/Senior rush tickets $10, 6:30 pm at Box office