Click here to see performances 2008-2010
 
Richard and John Contiguglia performed a special concert on Dame Myra Hess Day at The National Gallery, London.
Click here for more details...
Richard and John Contiguglia   The American identical twins, Richard and John Contiguglia, are among the most acclaimed and versatile piano-duos in the world today. Since their London debut in 1962, following which the London Daily Telegraph described their playing as setting “a new standard for this intimate form of music-making,” Richard and John are now the proprietors of their own recording company, Gemini CD Classics. Their releases on the Gemini label, Schubert Piano Duets – The Final Year, Live from the Holland Liszt Festival – Duos of Franz Liszt for One and Two Pianos, Music of Gershwin-Grainger and, most recently, Beethoven/Liszt 9th Symphony, reflect their lifelong commitment to popularizing the great body of music for two pianists. Their earlier recordings on the Connoisseur Society label and live performances of Bartók’s Suite for Two Pianos, Op. 4b, of Liszt’s transcription for two pianos of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and of Liszt’s Operatic Paraphrases on ‘Don Giovanni,’ ‘Norma’ and ‘La Sonnambula’ were modern-day premieres. The Liszt Society of Budapest, Hungary, in the first record competition in the Society’s history, awarded the Contiguglias’ recording of the Beethoven/Liszt 9th Symphony its grand prix. With the Cleveland Orchestra they revived Victor Babin’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra.

The most extraordinary musical event of the twins’ youth was a performance in their hometown of Auburn, New York, when they were 12 years old, of a group of two-piano pieces in the middle of a solo-piano recital by the legendary pianist-composer, Percy Grainger. Following their concert together, Grainger presented the young pianists with many of his two-piano scores, some with touching dedications: “to Richard and John Contiguglia, from their admiring colleague,” “in admiration of their splendid playing,” “in tonal fellowship.”

Richard and John have performed with major orchestras throughout the world, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the National Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, the Boston Pops, the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonish Orkest. They have been heard, both with orchestra and in recital, in numerous prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

They graduated in the top 1% of their class at Yale, with identical averages of 91%, receiving their B.A. degrees summa cum laude, with Philosophical Orations. Two years later they received M.Mus. degrees from the Yale Graduate School of Music at the top of their class. Subsequently, they studied for four years in London with the great British pianist, Dame Myra Hess. In recognition of their associations with Dame Myra, Richard and John were invited to be the featured pianists for Dame Myra Hess Day, 2008, at the National Gallery in London on November 25, 2008. Their performance of a lunchtime concert at 1:00 pm, which the British critic, Jessica Duchen, described as “extraordinary”,  called to mind the 1:00 pm lunchtime concerts (1,698, over a period of 6½ years) that Dame Myra organized during World War II at London’s National Gallery, for which she was made Dame Commander of the British Empire by King George VI.

 

Special Recital Program
for the 2010-2011 & 2011-2012 Seasons
in celebration of the 200th Anniversary
of the birth of Franz Liszt

Click Here to View
Jessica Duchen’s Classical Music Blog reviews Dame Myra Hess Day performance at the National Gallery

“Lunchtime saw an extraordinary performance by the Contiguglia Twins from New York, who played the socks off Howard Ferguson, Schubert and Beethoven. They came to Britain to study with Hess as young boys and played the Schubert Variations on an Original Theme for their Wigmore Hall debut. And... I’ve heard of identical, but this was quite something. I’m reliably informed that you can tell them apart when you know them well.”

- Jessica Duchen’s Classical Music Blog, November 26, 2008  Read More About Dame Myra Hess Day
Newest release on the Gemini CD Classics label
Beethoven / Liszt Symphony No. 9 (Choral) Beethoven / Liszt Symphony No. 9 (Choral)
Richard and John Contiguglia, Duo-Pianists
The most popular orchestral work of all time, magnificently transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt, can be heard once again in the Contiguglias’ new recording for Gemini CD Classics.
View More Information
Contiguglia Duo’s Beethoven/Liszt CD reviewed in the American Record Guide

American Record Guide“I enjoy transcriptions as much or more than most, and this is a great one, of the greatest piece, with a masterly performance, excellent recorded sound, and perceptive notes.”

- American Record Guide, January/February 2008 Read full article
Contiguglia Duo reviewed in The News-Gazette, Champaign/Urbana, IL

The News-Gazette“The piano duo of the identical Contiguglia twins is one of the most famous exemplars of this branch of the piano field. They have shown their superb discipline and fine musicianship here in years past as guest artists with Hobson’s Sinfonia da Camera. On Monday night, they aroused to a high level of enthusiasm the members of a moderate-sized audience in Smith Music Hall.”

- The News-Gazette, Champaign/Urbana, IL, June 2007 Read full article
Contiguglia Duo reviewed in the News Times of Danbury, CT

“When it came to Mozart’s concerto, the Contiguglias’ four hands seemed to be playing with one mind and heart. The Allegro movement was rich in thematic development, flowing back and forth without repeating, but constantly moving along with a natural progression. Exchanging phrases smoothly in this brilliant dialogue, the twins’ cooperative effort was a model of a well-functioning family. The final movement included cadenzas and ritards performed with amazing synchronicity. The twins knew each other’s parts as their own. My apologies go to the RSO, as my attention was completely captured by the pianists.”

- News Times, Danbury, CT, December 2006 Read full article
Contiguglia Duo reviewed in the Classical Voice of North America

“The playing was as astonishing as the music itself”

“And the best artists – in which august group the Contiguglias belong – find new meaning in every repeat performance. So there was nothing routine about this concert”

“I heard things I’d never noticed before, due to the great precision and clarity of the performance. ’Twas Art with a capital “A,” all ’round.”

- Classical Voice of North Carolina, October 2005 Read full article

Performances 2008-2010
Davidson, North Carolina

Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Tyler-Tallman Hall
Sloan Music Center
Davidson College
Davidson, North Carolina 28035
 
Symphonic Poem No. 4, Orpheus  Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
   (transcribed for two pianos by the composer)
En Blanc et Noir  Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
     1. Avec emportement
     2. Lent. Sombre
     3. Scherzando
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Charles Pianos
5000 B Menaul NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
 
Symphonic Poem No. 4, Orpheus  Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
   (transcribed for two pianos by the composer)
En Blanc et Noir  Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
     1. Avec emportement
     2. Lent. Sombre
     3. Scherzando
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Wenham, Massachusetts

Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Gordon College
Phillips Recital Hall
255 Grapevine Road
Wenham, Massachusetts 01984
 
Symphonic Poem No. 4, Orpheus  Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
   (transcribed for two pianos by the composer)
En Blanc et Noir  Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
     1. Avec emportement
     2. Lent. Sombre
     3. Scherzando
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Champaign/Urbana, Illinois
University of Illinois Piano Festival

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Foellinger Great Hall
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
University of Illinois
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Duo (Lebensstürme) D947 (one piano, four-hands)  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Yachats, Oregon
Yachats Music Festival

July 11, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Yachats Community Presbyterian Church
360 West 7th Street
Yachats, Oregon 97498
 
Country Gardens (Promenade)  Percy Grainger (1882-1961)
Ma mère l’Oye (5 Pièces enfantines)  Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
     1. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant.
     3. Laideronnette, Impératrice des Pagodes
     4. Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête
     5. Le jardin féerique
 
Yachats, Oregon
Yachats Music Festival

July 13, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Yachats Community Presbyterian Church
360 West 7th Street
Yachats, Oregon 97498
 
Allegro (Lebensstürme) D947 (one piano, four-hands)  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
 
La Mirada, California

Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Biola University
Conservatory of Music
Crowell Hall
Conservatory of Music
13800 Biola Ave.
La Mirada, California 90639

For tickets and information, call (562) 903-4892
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Reno, Nevada

Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Steinway Piano Gallery
500 East Moana Lane
Reno, NV 89502

For tickets and information call (775) 829-0600
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Auburn, New York

Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Westminster Presbyterian Church
Westminster Hall
17 William Street
Auburn, New York
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Elon, North Carolina

Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Whitley Auditorium
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Houghton, New York

Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Houghton College
Houghton, New York
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
London, England
Dame Myra Hess Day

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 1:00 pm

National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
London, England

1:00 - 2:15 pm
Dame Myra Hess Concert
Lunchtime Concert
Richard and John Contiguglia, Room 36
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Afternoon Talk
Memories of Myra Hess
John Amis, Diana McVeagh and Hugh Cobbe, Theatre

7:30 - 9:00 pm
Dame Myra Hess Concert
Evening Concert
Piers Lane and Tasmin Little, Room 36

For more information visit www.nationalgallery.org.uk
 
Thomaston, Connecticut

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Thomaston Opera House
158 Main Street
Thomaston, CT 06787

For more information visit www.thomastonoperahouse.org
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
New Haven, Connecticut
Private afternoon concert for Class of ’59 Reunion

Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Yale University
Sprague Hall
New Haven, CT
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Creative and Performing Arts High School
111 North Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania
For information contact Michael Cerveris (412) 548-3848
 
Partita, Op. 5b  Howard Ferguson (1908-1999)
   Grave – Allegretto pesante
Allegro un poco agitato
Andante un poco mosso
Allegro con spirito
Andante and Variations, Op. 46  Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Variations on an Original Theme in A-flat Major  Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
   Op. 35-D813 (one piano, four-hands)
Finale from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Op. 125   Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
   (transcribed for two pianos by Franz Liszt)                             Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
     IV Finale
Presto – Allegro ma non troppo – Tempo I, Allegro – Vivace –
Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo –
Allegro – Allegro assai vivace alla marcia – Andante maestoso –
Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto – Allegro energico -
Allegro ma non tanto – Poco adagio – Poco allegro stringendo
il tempo sempre più allegro - Prestissimo
 
Fort Myers, Florida

Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 7:30 pm

The Village Church Auditorium
Shell Point Retirement Community

Box Office (239) 454-2067

Program to be determined
 

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