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Belsky/Maxwell Piano Duo |
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The Belsky-Maxwell duo began in 2005, when these colleagues and friends discovered how remarkably well matched they are at the keyboard. Their artistic partnership debuted conspicuously with a standing-room-only performance of Mozart’s glorious Concerto for Two Pianos with the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra in January 2006, in celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday. Since then, the two pianists have been presenting duo concerts throughout the Chicago area and beyond, playing repertoire ranging from the great masters to newly commissioned works, even featuring their own arrangements. |
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Performing frequently from the start, Belsky and Maxwell quickly developed a loyal following. Appearances on the PianoForte Great Pianists Series, Schubertiade Chicago, and Skokie Steinway Series were enthusiastically acclaimed, earning the Duo a reputation as a unique and exciting new ensemble with particular audience rapport. The 2007-2008 season marked more than twenty concerts throughout the greater Chicago area, including performances on the prestigious Mostly Music Series of Northeastern Illinois University, the Wheaton College Concert Series, the annual Music Institute of Chicago Duo Piano Festival, and the Southern Illinois Music Festival; and culminated in concerto appearances with the Southern Illinois Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Edward Benyas. The 2008-2009 calendar begins with a concert at the Moody Bible Institute, and takes Belsky and Maxwell throughout the Midwest for recital and master class engagements at the University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois, Winona State University, Illinois Central College, Cardinal Stritch University, Western Illinois University, and many more. Especially high-profile performances include a concert and interview on Live From WFMT of Chicago’s Classical 98.7 FM, and a recital on Chicago’s Music in the Loft Series, famed for hosting the region’s top emerging artists. Praised for "how artistically attuned they were to each other . . . they simultaneously moved from the serene to the staccato, from the merely fast to the positively furious, always at precisely the same time" (Hyde Park Herald), Belsky and Maxwell invite audiences to see -- and hear -- what two women can do with one piano. The Duo also has recorded three CDs, available for sale. Discography includes the Mozart Concerto No. 10 in E-flat Major for Two Pianos, K. 365; the Schubert Fantasy in F Minor, D. 940, Debussy’s Prelude a l’après-midi d’un Faune, and the Barber Souvenirs, Op. 28; the Rachmaninoff Suite, Op. 11, Stravinsky’s Three Movements from Petrouchka, and William White’s brand-new Desiderata, written especially for Belsky and Maxwell. The CDs have been highly acclaimed and featured on Chicago's classical radio station, WFMT. They are also available on CDbaby.com, iTunes and Amazon.com. "Unquestionably, the big moment of the afternoon was Schubert's "Fantasy in F Minor,... It was here that these two women... showed how artistically attuned they were to each other. They simultaneously moved from the serene to the staccato, from the merely fast to the positively furious, always at precisely the same time...." M. L. Rantala, Hyde Park Herald
"Thank you so much for sharing your exquisite craft with our audience this past Saturday" Ursula Furrer, PianoForte Foundation
"...a simply divine performance..." Chicago Maroon
"Your concert drew nothing but praise from our audience... Your Mozart concerto was stunning... As always it is a true musical event when we have you at our concert series." Steve Gianni, Program Director: Fine Arts Fall, Northbrook Public Library, |
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In the Press
Rock me, Amadeus: Two Pianists share their thoughts on playing Mozart Chicago Maroon, January 24, 2006
Duo to Create ‘Four-hand’ Piano Sound at Concert Bill Gowen, Daily Herald, February 15, 2008
University Symphony Orchestra, 2006
Hyde Park Herald, January 16, 2008
Belsky-Maxwell Duo at the Blackstone Library M. L. Rantala, Hyde Park Herald, January 10, 2007
University of Chicago Chronicle, January 4, 2007 |
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News and Highlights
—The Belsky-Maxwell Piano Duo has been invited to be Guest Artists and Clinicians at the Illinois State Music Teachers Association 2010 Convention held on November 12-13 at the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. They will perform and teach a masterclass. |