Program and Artist Biography

Cellist Wendy Warner and pianist Irina Nuzova, both accomplished musicians in their own right, bring to their duo performances a rare artistic synergy that has been described as so effortless, so riveting, it is as though they are playing with a single harmonizing voice. The melding of their contrasting cultures and traditions are core to the uncommon energy and deep insight of their interpretations: Moscow-born Irina Nuzova studied at Juilliard following rigorous training in Russia, while American Wendy Warner earned her renown as a soloist at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia under the baton, and the tutelage of the great Rostropovich.

WarnerNuzova's diverse repertoire explores not only the well-known classical compositions for cello and piano, but unique transcriptions of music originally composed for other instruments, several of which they have commissioned. Their desire to reflect in their music-making how cultural differences can come together, yet remain individually distinctive, is evident even in their programming-they strive to incorporate composers from both Russian and American soil, and especially, those composers who have been exposed to both countries.

Wendy Warner quickly became one of the world's leading cellists after garnering international attention by winning first prize at the Fourth International Rostropovich Competition in Paris in 1990. Since that time, she has performed all over the world as soloist with leading orchestras, and in chamber ensembles. Her performances have received high acclaim from critics, including the Chicago Tribune who described her playing as "truly prodigious... persuasive of tone, beautifully shaped and graced with an altogether professional sheen. " Well known for her captivating solo and chamber music performances, pianist Irina Nuzova has been hailed by critics as a musician who "...rises above mere virtuosity" (Washington Post) in her thoughtful rendition of the classical repertoire. She has appeared  in Europe, the United States and South America, and has won top prizes in several international competitions including the prestigious  Vincenzo Bellini andthe Vittorio Gui International Chamber Music Competition in Italy. Her performances have been broadcast live on WFMT in Chicago, WGBH in Boston, and on Italian television.

WarnerNuzova's first CD is due to be released in the Fall of 2010 on the Cedille Records label. A collection of Russian romantic works, the recording features Sergei Rachmaninoff's Sonata in G minor, and the rarely-performed Sonata in A minor by Nikolai Myaskovsky. Future concerts    include performances of the complete Beethoven sonata cycle in Chicago, Boston and Washington DC.

For more information: www.warnernuzova.com