In an electrifying duo, two of the world's greatest young musicians combine to present their first Musica Viva tour this October. Fresh from successful concerts in UK and Europe, both artists maintain busy touring schedules and Australian audiences have the opportunity to see the two on stage together.
Russian violinist Alina Ibragimova and French pianist Cédric Tiberghien first met on the BBC New Generation young artists scheme and quickly discovered an unmistakable shared chemistry.
"Sometimes you play with people who can play extremely well, but personalities do not really match. With Alina, from the very beginning, we didn't need to spend hours arguing or fighting, we don't need to try to play together, we just follow exactly the same instincts and lines," said Tiberghien.
Ibragimova was born in Russia in 1985, and initially studied with the Moscow Gnesin School. At the age of 10 she moved to London to attend the Yehudi Menuhin School and then the Royal College of Music London. Ibragimova's repertoire ranges from Baroque to Contemporary. She has toured with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and Kremerata Baltica, with whom she made her debut in 2005.
Tiberghien studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Frédéric Aguessy and Gérard Frémy and was awarded the Permier Prix in 1992, aged just 17. He has since won a number of other major international prizes and has performed around the world including London, Berlin, Tokyo, Hannover, Hamburg, Washington and Sydney.
While both artists have visited Australia before as soloists, this will be their first tour as a duo. They will present two programs covering Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle and Perth.
"Australia is a country I love so much, people are so friendly and it's easy to communicate with the audience, you feel the energy immediately, even before starting a concert," said Tiberghien.
As well as sonatas by Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and Strauss, they will perform a new piece for violin and piano by Musica Viva's 2010 Featured Composer, Paul Stanhope.
"We're looking forward to playing Paul Stanhope's new piece, and being part of its creation, that's not something we get to do very often," said Ibragimova.
This piece has been commissioned for Musica Viva by Geoff & Vicki Ainsworth and Carl Vine.
"I am thrilled to have joined co-commissioners, Geoff and Vicki Ainsworth, in helping our Featured Composer for 2010, Paul Stanhope, write a new work specifically for this brilliant duo. Paul's contribution to this year's season has already been some of the finest Australian chamber music I've heard, and this team makes a perfect vehicle for his unique style," said Carl Vine, Musica Viva Artistic Director.
National tour dates are as follows:
Melbourne - Saturday, October 2, 8pm and Tuesday, October 19, 7pm
Hobart - Tuesday, October 5, 8pm
Canberra - Thursday, October 7, 7pm
Newcastle - Saturday, October 9, 7.30pm
Perth - Tuesday, October 12, 7.30pm
Adelaide - Thursday, October 14, 8pm
Sydney - Saturday, October 16, 1.30pm and Monday, October 18, 7pm
Bathurst - Thursday, October 21, 8pm
Coffs Harbour - Friday, October 22, 8pm
Armidale - Saturday, October 23, 7pm
Cedric Tiberghien will conduct two masterclasses which are open to the public on October 4, 10am-12pm at the Australian National Academy of Music, Melbourne and October 7, 11am-1pm at the Australian National University, Canberra.
For more information on what Musica Viva have on offer, give them a call on (02) 8394 6666 or check out their website.