Duo Fantasy duo526

• Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887 - 1959): Sonata Fantasia No. 2, Op. 29, W083:
• 1 Sonata Fantasia No. 2, Op. 29, W083: I. Allegro non troppo 05:58
• 2 Sonata Fantasia No. 2, Op. 29, W083: II. Largo 08:23
• 3 Sonata Fantasia No. 2, Op. 29, W083: III. Rondo. Allegro finale 06:37
• Arnold Bax (1883 - 1953): Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, GP 171/248:
• 4 Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, GP 171/248: I. Fantasy. Slow & Gloomy 08:02
• 5 Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, GP 171/248: II. The Grey Dancer in the Twilight. Fast Waltz 05:56
• 6 Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, GP 171/248: III. Very Broad & Concentrated 08:45
• 7 Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, GP 171/248: IV. Allegro feroce 08:31
• William Bolcom (b. 1938):
• 8 Duo Fantasy 12:07
• Total Runtime 01:04:19

Info for Duo Fantasy

It all began in 2011, when DuWors and Niekawa, then students at Eastman School of Music, were assigned to perform Mozart's last Sonata for Violin and Piano K. 526 together. The magnificence of the piece not only unlocked a profound musical rapport between the two young musicians, but also inspired their name as a collective.

Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that there should be something timeless in the manner in which duo526 interpret their chosen works – and be they from the 20th century, like the compositions on DUO FANTASY. The selection itself is already superb, exploring the fantasia aspects of each piece through improvisatory style and free form. Villa-Lobos, Bax, and Bolcom each have a unique compositional voice, but heard together, they share the common thread of fantasy. Not only does this greatly contribute to the immense listenability of DUO FANTASY; more artistically, it also mirrors the relationship of the two musicians performing it.

Violinist DuWors' audacious martelé, bold dynamics, and immense spectrum of tone are perfectly complemented by Niekawa's ever-sensitive musical command and uncompromising precision on the piano. Together, they achieve what most duos strive for in vain: a perfect homogeneity in interpretation. There is a great joy in risk-taking to be found here, but most importantly, the two musicians are impeccably in agreement at all times. DUO FANTASY is a wonderful example of how the sum of music is greater than its individual parts. No doubt that DuWors and Niekawa are formidable virtuoso musicians in their own right. But together, they are simply stunning.

Kerry DuWors, violin
Futaba Niekawa, piano

duo526
was founded in 2011 by violinist Kerry DuWors and pianist Futaba Niekawa at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester NY) where they worked extensively with professors Jean Barr and Charles Castleman. Invited to the Banff Centre for the Arts four times as Artists-in-Residence between 2011-2018, they worked with Henk Guittart, Roger Tapping, Lafayette String Quartet, Hardy Rittner, and Mark Steinberg. They have been featured on radio broadcasts including “Backstage Pass” WXXI (Rochester NY) and Classic 107 “Morning Light” (Winnipeg MB). Since 2014 duo526 has toured Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Japan, New York, Virginia, and was in residence at Avaloch Farms, Brandon University, and Indiana University. Recent travels to Berlin, Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, Budapest, New York City, Iceland, and Amsterdam have given duo526 insight and inspiration.

duo526 is dedicated to creative thought and the art of listening through the study and performance of a vast repertoire across an array of styles. Their joy of collaboration results from risk-taking, inspiration, and spontaneous reactions. Their name was inspired by Mozart’s last Sonata for Violin and Piano K. 526, the first work presented to them by Charles Castleman for their equal virtuosic flair and refined musicianship.

Kerry DuWors
Performances and tours have taken Canadian violinist Kerry DuWors, a self-described musical adventurer and musician-athlete, across four continents. In demand as a versatile chamber musician and soloist, DuWors champions collaboration across an array of ensembles and has been praised for “always finding the music behind the notes” and her “fearless competence” (Winnipeg Free Press). Curiosity drives DuWors’s dedicated academic and musical study through creative projects, artist residencies, commissions, premières, masterclasses, and community outreach. Her mentors include Lorand Fenyves, Charles Castleman, Scott St. John, and the Cecilia and Lafayette String Quartets. Committed to pedagogy and mentorship, DuWors has been Associate Professor at Canada’s Brandon University since 2003.

Futaba Niekawa
Known for her verve and sensitivity, Japanese pianist FUTABA NIEKAWA pushes the boundaries of her artistry as a soloist and collaborative pianist across genres and disciplines. She has performed throughout the United States, Canada, England, Taiwan, and Japan at notable venues including Jordan Hall, Merkin Hall, Taiwan’s National Concert Hall, and Sumida-Triphony Concert Hall. Niekawa’s passion for multi-disciplinary collaboration and performing music of her generation has led to artistic partnerships with composers, dancers, poets, and visual artists. Niekawa earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music in 2013. She is dedicated to pedagogy, mentoring, and performance practice through guest teaching, masterclasses throughout North America, and workshops at duo526’s annual Sonata Seminar. Since 2015, Niekawa has been on the faculty for Chamber and Collaborative Music at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

Booklet for Duo Fantasy