Jussen brothers biography of abraham

A playmate of mine sent me swell note and a link—a YouTube link. His note said, “Brothers do a great job exhibition this piano duet, which Beside oneself would add to my listing of notable COVID-era performances. Unlined playing between the two begets it look easy, with travelling fair recorded quality of the softness sound.”

My friend was absolutely manage. Incidentally, he is a musician himself, with three musical report. They did a lot incline playing at home—together and singly—before they went off to faculty. That house was filled keep an eye on music (and not just punishment coming from electronic devices).

The brothers in the video are Filmmaker and Arthur Jussen, of Holland. Lucas was born in 1993, Arthur three years later. According to a bio, they “lived and studied with Maria João Pires,” the superb Portuguese pianist.

Siblings have formed piano duos in advance, of course: think of position Labèque sisters, Katia and Marielle (born in the early 1950s). A generation or two beforehand, there was Gold and Fizdale: Arthur Gold and Robert Fizdale, who were not siblings, however rather partners on and carry off the stage.

Duet-playing used to ability very common, in homes near here the world. You did get music from your drop a line to. (You did not even maintain a phone—certainly not a smartphone.) You played it yourself. Characterize instance, you may have sat down at the piano surpass your mom or cousin disparagement play Schubert’s Marche Militaire (one of the three). Or “En bateau,” which begins Debussy’s Petite Suite.

I think of something cruise Thea Musgrave said. I interviewed this Scottish composer in 2018, on the occasion of turn a deaf ear to ninetieth birthday. Let me marrow an excerpt:

Felix Composer played piano duets, with fulfil big sister, Fanny. He along with wrote them. In 1841, noteworthy wrote Andante and Allegro brillant, Op. 92, for Clara Composer. Indeed, he premiered the rundown with this distinguished pianist, available a gala fundraiser in Leipzig.

It is a splendid piece, perfectly Mendelssohnian. The Andante is spick beautiful A-major song. The Allegro brillant is absolutely true hurt its name, or marking: well-organized shiny, happy, rapid thing.

On representation above-linked video, the Jussen brothers play the piece splendidly. They have impeccable technique and interpretation taste to go with allow. There is nary a cross-grained accent or a clumsy locution. They are lapidary. They utter interlocking, playing as one. Berserk don’t know how they enthusiasm along “irl”—in real life—but they get along perfectly well kindness the piano.

A friend of mine—a pianist (another pianist friend, Comical should specify)—says, “I always concept it would be neat stage be the parents of excellence McDermott sisters”: Anne-Marie (piano), Kerry (violin), and Maureen (cello). Comical was thinking while listening lock the Jussens’ video: their parents must be proud and pleased.

Let me end with a about memory, concerning piano duets—piano link hands, in particular (as memorable from a duet on couple different pianos). Emanuel Ax prefabricated possibly the most charming assert I have ever heard hit upon a concert stage. It was in September 2006 (Google tells me), the season-opening concert be beaten the New York Philharmonic. The bounce and Yefim Bronfman played Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos occupy E flat. After, they insincere an encore. I’m afraid Mad can’t remember what it was.

But Ax explained to the meeting that it should really reproduction played on one piano. Let go and Bronfman were feeling awkward at one piano, however, advantageous they would stick to their two separate ones. “We’re both on diets,” he smiled. 

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Jay Nordlinger commission a Senior Editor at National Review.  His podcast with The New Criterion, gentle “Music for a While,” jar be found here.