Duo Monti & Bianco
Harmonija u dvoje
Partnerstvo pijanista Federice Monti i Fabija Bianca započelo je 2007. godine, nakon što su s odličjem diplomirali na Konzervatoriju za glazbu S. Pietro a Majella u Napulju. Iako su već tada oboje imali bogato iskustvo kao solisti i komorni glazbenici, vrlo su brzo otkrili kako se njihovi talenti prirodno nadopunjuju, stvarajući jedinstvenu umjetničku sinergiju.
Njihovi nastupi privukli su pozornost publike i kritike, a 2007. godine, uz potporu profesorice Valerije Lambiase, primljeni su u klasu maestra Pier Narcisa Masija na Glazbenoj akademiji u Firenci. Od tada su osvajali brojne nagrade na nacionalnim i međunarodnim natjecanjima. Ističu se: Città di Camerino, Città di Bacoli, Giulio Rospigliosi, Riviera Etrusca, kao i međunarodna pijanistička natjecanja Roma 2009. i Roma 2011.
Njihove interpretacije krasi profinjenost, svježina i strast koji odišu snagom i unutarnjom povezanošću. Stoga su ih i publika i kritika prepoznali kao umjetnike s iznimnim komunikacijskim darom i elegancijom.
Duo je svoj repertoar proširio od Bacha do suvremenih skladatelja, s posebnim naglaskom na otkrivanje nepravedno zanemarenih djela za klavir četiri ruke i dva klavira, među kojima su skladbe Reineckea, Rheinbergera, Goetza i Regera.
Posebno se pamte njihovi nastupi na prestižnim pozornicama poput Klavier Festivala u Münchenu (2011.), gdje su izveli rijetko izvođenu Reineckeovu Sonatu op. 35 za klavir četiri ruke, te debitantski koncert u dvorani Scarlatti Konzervatorija u Napulju, s izvedbom Czernyjeva Koncerta op. 153 za klavir četiri ruke i orkestar. U Münchenu su također stekli i Meisterklassediplom u klasi slavnog dua Tal–Groethuysen.
Slijedile su i daljnje nagrade; prva na Međunarodnom pijanističkom natjecanju Roma 2011. u kategoriji dva klavira, te druga nagrada na Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition u New Yorku (2012.). Te iste godine nastupili su u čuvenoj Kristalnoj dvorani u Rogaškoj Slatini, gdje je 1846. svirao Franz Liszt.
Danas Duo Monti & Bianco redovito nastupa na festivalima i glazbenim sezonama diljem Europe, oduševljavajući svojom tehnikom, strašću i muzikalnošću, a publika će na 19. Epidaurus Cavtat Festivalu imati priliku čuti – njihov hrvatski debi.
Harmony in two
Federica Monti and Fabio Bianco’s partnership began in 2007, with the conferment with honours of the 2nd Level Academic Diploma in “Musical Disciplines” at the “S. Pietro a Majella” Music Conservatory in Naples.
Both musicians come from considerable experience both as soloists and as chamber musicians, yet they have discovered in a brief space of time that they are able to unite their musical talents in a highly natural manner. They immediately gained positive approbation at exhibitions, festivals and music seasons, and at national and international concerts. Under the guidance right from the beginning of Valeria Lambiase, instructor in Chamber Music at the Music Conservatory of Naples, they were admitted in 2007 to the class of M° Pier Narciso Masi at the Academy of Music at Florence.
From 2007 to 2012 they were winners of multiple National and International Competitions :
“ Città di Camerino ” Young Musicians’ Competition;
“Città di Bacoli” 13th Competition, piano four hands category;
“ Giulio Rospigliosi” Competition , piano four hands category;
“ Riviera Etrusca” ( Piombino) Competition, piano four hands category;
19th International Piano Competition “Roma 2009”, piano four hands category
“21th International Piano Competition “Roma 2011”, two piano category.
Their performances have always been distinguished for their refinement of interpretation, their fervor and freshness, and a brilliance and vigour brought to the language of chamber music which derives not just from musical experience, but also from a profound and intimate union.
In June 2009, they received the Biennial DIPLOMA (2007/2009) in Academy Mastery for Musicians with M° Pier Narciso Masi at the Academy of Music of Florence and in the same month they were admitted at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Munich where they are studying
with the renowned Tal – Groethuysen piano duo.
The Duo Monti & Bianco is regularly invited to perform at Musical Season and Festival throughout Italy and Europe
In a brief period of time they extended their repertoire, which ranges from Bach to contemporary music and it includes the most important compositions for piano 4 hands and for 2 pianos. Since the beginning, however, the Duo has given particular importance to the discovery of important and fascinating works from the piano 4 hands repertory which have been unjustly forgotten , such as works by Carl Reinecke , Joseph Rheinberger , Hermann Goetz , Max Reger .
They have always been applauded by both the public and critics alike as musicians with a great communication skills and with an elegant and intimate union.
Throughout the years, the Duo has been appreciated for their brilliant technique , passion and intimacy , and for the remarkable quality of their sound. In February 2011 the Duo was invited to play in the prestigious “ Klavier Festival” in Monaco of Bavaria with the rare performance of the Reinecke’ s Sonata op. 35 for piano 4 Hands. In May 2011 , the Duo debuted in the “ Scarlatti Hall” at the Conservatory of Naples “ S. Pietro a Majella” with the Concert op. 153 by C. Czerny for piano 4 hands and Orchestra. In July 2011 the Duo received the “ Meisterklassediplom” at the Hochschule für Musik und Teather of Munich in the class of the Duo Tal – Groethuysen . In October 2011 , Federica Monti and Fabio Bianco won the First Prize at the 21th International Piano Competition “Roma 2011”, Two Piano category.
In May 2012 the Duo won the Second Prize at the “Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition”- New York , Piano 4 Hands category .
In July 2012 the Duo was invited to play at the Klavier Marathon Rogaska (Slovenia) in the famous Krystal Hall where Liszt played in 1846.
This is their Croatian debut at the 19th Epidaurus Cavtat’s festival.