Comprised of two sensationally gifted and acclaimed virtuosi – clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka – the Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo has been heard throughout the US garnering an impressive record of instant re-engagements.
Comprised of two sensationally gifted and acclaimed virtuosi – clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka – the Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo has been heard throughout the US garnering an impressive record of instant re-engagements.
This talented duo will give a concert for the Grahamstown Music Society on November 3.
Clarinet and piano duos are still rare gems on the modern concert stage despite the immense repertoire. With their innovative programming, master classes, and recitals, the duo makes it their mission to transform the superb instrumental combination from a rare occurrence to a welcomed guest in concert series across the globe.
The musicians first met in December 2012 and, as avid chamber music collaborators, instantly felt a unique artistic connection resulting in an inspiring and creative friendship. Both artists are graduates of The Juilliard School and enjoy extensive international solo careers that have heard them in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Germany’s Leipzig Gewandhaus and Japan’s Izumi Hall.
Already an acclaimed artist in his native Belarus, clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov is quickly gaining renown as an artist of profound musical sensibility and a performer of remarkable charisma.
Recently hailed by the Lucid Culture for “clarity that’s viscerally breathtaking” and “effortless…quicksilver legato” Maksim continues to win over audiences with his profound musical sensibility and flawless technique.
As the recipient of the Artists International New York Debut Award, Shtrykov presented his solo debut recital at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in April 2007.
Since his orchestra debut recital at age 14, Shtrykov has appeared as a regular guest soloist with the Belarusian State Symphonic Orchestra and the Belarusian State Chamber Orchestra.
Shtrykov is a first prize winner of the Belarus National Woodwind Competition and a prizewinner of Dymtro Bida International Woodwind Competition in Ukraine.
Shtrykov is also a two-time recipient of the Presidents’ Foundation Award Young Talents of Belarus. He has performed recitals and chamber music concerts in such major halls as the Polish Baltic Philharmonic, the Belarusian State Philharmonic, Izumi Hall in Osaka, Miller Theatre at the Columbia University and Baruch Performing Arts Center.
Shtrykov actively performs both as a recitalist and with various chamber music ensembles. He holds a degree of Master of Music from The Juilliard School, where he had been a scholarship student in the studio of Charles Neidich.
Misuzu Tanaka has established herself as an artist of remarkable individuality with a rare combination of poetic sensitivity and breathtaking virtuosity.
Recently hailed by critics as a pianist "who dispatched everything with both dizzying speed and sensitivity", she is the winner of many competitions including First Prize at the Poland Music Festival Competition and Second prize at the Joan and Daniel Rutenberg Chamber Music Competition.
Tanaka presented highly acclaimed recitals at the Gewandhaus (Leipzig, Germany), Villa Bertramka (Prague, Czech Republic) and Mest’anská Beseda (Pilsen, Czech Republic), and was invited as a special guest artist to perform for former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
Tanaka studied at the Juilliard School with Martin Canin and with Ivan Moravec, and Miroslav Brejcha in the Czech Republic. She holds a Masters in Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Michigan where she was a full scholarship recipient studying with Dr Logan Skelton.
* The programme on November 3 will include works by Claude Debussy, Ernest Chausson, Camille Saint-Saens and Darius Milhaud.
For more information: sheila@imaginet.co.za
