Duo Fresco

Bio:

Pluck, Bow! by Greg Caffrey performed by Duo Fresco


Echoes of Autumn by Stephen Dodgson performed by Duo Fresco


“This is a duo fun, fresh and exciting--two great players completely dedicated to a neglected combination of instruments, and with beautiful new works to share. They’ll add spice and variety to any series!” --William Ash, President, St Louis Classical Guitar Society

Scherzoso by Siefried Behrend

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The perfect blend of sound and style, accessibility and innovation define this exciting group’s mission of music making. Together, Deubner & Kenniff continue to expand the repertoire for their duo by working with contemporary composers and by creating their own transcriptions of existing repertoire. Duo Fresco has premiered new works for viola & guitar by composers Victor Kioulaphades, Matthew Halper, Jose Lezcano, Raymond Wojcik, John Sichel, Paul Somers, John Oliver, Sergio Parotti and Frank Ezra Levy. Premiere's of new works by Samuel Adler (Five Choral Scherzi for viola, guitar & choir), Sergio Parotti (Double Concerto, op. 312), Greg Caffrey, Jose Mora Jimenez and Amanda Harburg are planned for the 2008-2009 concert season. They have arranged works by Henry Purcell, Marin Marias, JS Bach, Franz Schubert, Isaac Albeniz, Ralph Vaughn Williams and Manuel de Falla.

Duo Fresco have performed concerts at New York City's Trinity Concert Series, the New England Guitar Society, William Paterson University's Midday Artist Series, The Columbus Classical Guitar Society, Philadelphia's Salon Series, the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, the Denver Classical Guitar Society, the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival, to name a few.

They have also given masterclasses at Washington University, The College of New Jersey, Kean University, the American String Teachers Association Chamber Music Institute in New Jersey, and as artists-in-residence at Kean University they perform over 20 education concerts throughout the Northeastern United States.



As seasoned concerto soloists in their own right, several renowned composers have written works for Duo Fresco and Chorus as well as Double concertos. This season's highlights include the premiere of Samuel Adlers Five Scherzi for Viola, Guitar and Chorus with the world famous Eastman School of Music Chorale and the world premiere of Sergio Parotti's Double Concerto in Buenos Aires. Collaborations between Duo Fresco and other instrumentalists & singers will be featured in 2009 in performances of works by Alfred Uhl, Astor Piazolla, and the premiere of a new song cycle by Frank Ezra Levy for Duo Fresco, Soprano and chamber ensemble.


VIOLIST, BRETT DEUBNER:

• Violist Brett Deubner is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he was awarded the prestigious Performer’s Certificate in viola.

• He has made concerto appearances with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Symphony, the State Orchestra of Bulgaria, the North Shore Philharmonic of Boston, the Eastman Philharmonia, as well as the Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra in New York City with whom he recorded Mozart’s Symphonia Concertante, and the New Philharmonic of New Jersey.

• Deubner’s discography includes chamber music, solo, and concerto recordings for the Albany and Eroica Classical labels. Mr. Deubner is on the faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia.

• www.BrettDeubner.com, wwww.myspace.com/brettdeubner for more information


GUITARIST, CHRISTOPHER KENNIFF:

• Kenniff holds BM and MM degrees Magna cum Laude from Southern Methodist University and an Artist Diploma from Indiana University.

• He was awarded first prize at the Councour de Guitarre (Quebec, Canada), the Music Teachers National Association Competition and the National Federation of Music Clubs Biannual Competition. He was also the winner of the Dallas Classical Guitar Society’s Young Artist Auditions and a prizewinner in the American String Teacher’s Competition.

• Mr. Kenniff is a member of Kean University’s Concert Artist Faculty. He also directs the American String Teacher’s Association’s annual Solo Strings Competition and the ASTA/NJ Chamber Music Institute (www.astanj.com) which he founded in 2005.

• www.ChristopherKenniff.com for more information.

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Member Since:

December 27, 2007

Members:

“The concert began with the Duo Fresco's own effective arrangement of Manuel deFalla's Canciones Espagnoles…..we must remark that if ever one is called upon to define in sound what makes Spanish music Spanish, this should be the A-1 exhibit. Every time I hear them play it, I feel nostalgic for a country I've never actually visited. The final "Polo" movement they took at a blisteringly fast tempo and pulled it off.”—Maurice River Reviews

Influences:

“I had a great time performing with Duo Fresco! They have an excited audience that understands a fresh approach to chamber music.” --Eric Wyrick, Concertmaster of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Into the Radiant Boundaries of Light - I - by Samuel Adler


"Two of the Garden State's top chamber players." --Bradley Bambarger, The Newark Star-Ledger



“I couldn't have wished for a better performance of my piece!” --Samuel Adler, of his composition “Into the Radiant Boundaries of Light”



“Many thanks for the excellent start to our Informance series. Your concert set an excellent standard: wonderful music; interesting, clear, and short talks; fine performances. Bravi!” --Dr. Anthony Scelba, Director of Concert Artist Program at Kean University

Suite in D Minor by Marin Marais


“The standard repertoire, Schubert and de Falla, was thoughtfully interpreted and transcribed, and the new compositions introduced are well written and played with intense feeling.” -- James Baird, Director of the New England Guitar Society

Duo Fresco “produced a concert that was one highlight after another.” --Classical New Jersey

“Collaborating with Duo Fresco was pure musical pleasure. This was chamber music at the highest level.” --Jeffrey Solow, former cellist with the Amadeus Trio

Jota from Canciones Espagnoles by Manuel de Falla


"Duo Fresco (Deubner and Kenniff) gave the world premiere performance of John Oliver’s Dream of Africa, a beautifully lyrical and pacific work that allowed Mr. Deubner to display his full technical prowess. Duo Fresco played with deep commitment and great expressivity." --Maurice River Music Reviews

The duo’s “technical and ensemble ability is impeccable” and they “played... at a world-class level.” --Classical New Jersey

“..Duo Fresco had a splendid time with Schubert’s Sonata in a, tackling it with Romantic abandon. The audience applauded at the conclusion of the first movement..” --St. Louis Post Dispatch

Schubert Arpeggione performed by Duo Fresco

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“In the uniqueness of their sound and the depth and range of their music making, Duo Fresco is clearly one of the most compelling ensembles on the music scene today.” --Matthew Halper, Composer and Artistic Director of Ars Vitalis: The New Jersey New Music Forum

Danza from La Giara by Victor Kioulaphides
.. “Kenniff’s guitar playing was warm and fluid while Deubner’s viola virtually sang.” --Ed Wismer, Ocean City Sentinel Ledger

Canzonetta & Jig by Henry Purcell

Record Label:

Eroica