Marc-André Hamelin and Charles Richard-Hamelin are not related by blood, but they share the impressive distinction of being two of Canada's most celebrated musicians on the international scene — and in this concert from Montreal's Bourgie Hall, they combine their renowned virtuosity and artistry in a series of piano duets! Follow them on a journey through the last three centuries, beginning with a charming Mozart Sonata in D major from 1781 and a fiery Rondo in C composed by an 18-year-old Chopin in 1828. Next up is the snappily percussive Pas des cymbales (1887) by the undersung Cécile Chaminade, one of the greatest composers of piano music in the late Romantic era, followed by the delicate and introspective Two Pieces for Two Pianos (written during World War II and published in 1946), some of the last works by Nikolai Medtner. Finally, relive the memorable tunes and atmosphere of the Gershwins' most celebrated opera in the Fantasy on Porgy and Bess by Australian-born pianist Percy Grainger, a medley that boasts a bouncy "It Ain't Necessarily So," a sultry "Summertime," and much more…

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Mozart: Trio in C major, K. 548

Rachmaninoff: Elegiac Trio No. 2

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Trio in C major, K. 548, composed in 1788, belongs to the composer’s late creative period. Remarkable for its formal clarity, the work exemplifies a perfect balance between the piano, violin, and cello. Beneath its apparent lightness, Mozart reveals a subtle expressive richness, alternating elegance, vitality, and depth—particularly in its serene slow movement.

In striking contrast, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Elegiac Trio No. 2 in D minor, written in 1893, is a deeply emotional work composed in memory of Tchaikovsky. Nearly symphonic in scope, this trio explores the full expressive range of late Romanticism: intense lyricism, pianistic virtuosity, and dark, meditative atmospheres. The final movement, built on a series of variations, stands as a poignant tribute, imbued with dramatic tension and profound emotional intensity.

Bringing these two works together, the program highlights a dialogue between Classicism and Romanticism—between formal balance and passionate expression.

BIOGRAPHY

From the moment it entered the music scene in 1998, the Quebec press said of the Fibonacci Trio that hearing them was like entering the realm of miracles (Le Devoir). The Trio itself, however, entered the realm of rigor and study under some of the greatest masters, including Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio), Eberhard Feltz, Michael Vogler, and members of the Alban Berg Quartet, Vermeer Quartet, and Guarneri Quartet in Berlin. The Fibonacci Trio has enjoyed a brilliant international career, with tours taking them to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Japan, the United States, as well as several countries in Europe and South Africa.

The Fibonacci Trio remains one of the few piano trios in the world recognized both for its virtuosic and inspired interpretations of contemporary music and for its passionate and eloquent performances of classical and Romantic works. Since its beginnings, it has premiered more than sixty works by Canadian composers and has gone on to collaborate with several renowned international composers, including Pascal Dusapin, Henri Pousseur, Mauricio Kagel, and Jonathan Harvey.

Baladi, meaning “of my country” in Arabic, is a traditional Egyptian oriental dance, also known as “belly dance” or bellydance. Characterized by grounded, sensual, and expressive movements, it highlights the hips, pelvis, and torso. It is a form of exercise that celebrates femininity and the body, often practiced for physical fitness and self-expression.