Le Poisson Rouge

Bach Crossings, a first release for DUO Stephanie and Saar on New Focus Recordings, is a crossing of paths, crossing of minds and inspirations. Johann Sebastian Bach, the monolith of Western music, is recast and given new light in piano four hand transcriptions by one of our most creative living composers, György Kurtág.

On March 11, 7:30pm DUO Stephanie and Saar will celebrate the release of Bach Crossings by performing the entire CD at NYC’s (le) poisson rouge. Opening the concert are New Focus Recordings artists Daniel Lippel on guitar performing Bach transcriptions followed by Jacob Greenberg on piano performing a selection of Kurtág’s Játétok (Games).

“The duo gave beautifully understated performances” – The New York Times

“These well-matched artists found considerable expressive depth in Kurtág’s version of the Sonatina…The rapport between Ho and Ahuvia was readily apparent throughout their portion of the program; their music- making placed added value on elegance and subtlety” – The Baltimore Sun

“ Their (DUO Stephanie and Saar) wide ranging repertoire and intellectual curiosity is extraordinary” – Musical America

Program:

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E-flat major, BWV 998

Daniel Lippel, guitar

György Kurtág (b. 1926)

Selections from Játékok

Jacob Greenberg, piano

Johann Sebastian Bach

Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit: Sonatina, BWV 106

Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599

Gott, durch deine Güte, BWV 600

O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV deest

Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot’, BWV 635

Gavottes I & II from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068**

Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599

Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 687

Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 643

Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr, BWV 711

Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619

Pastorale in F major, BWV 590*

Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn, BWV 601

Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614

Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 545*

DUO Stephanie and Saar

Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Ho, piano

All piano four-hand transcriptions by György Kurtág except starred

*Transcriptions by F.X. Gleichauf

** Transcription by Max Reger