Guevara & Zhelezova Piano Duo - Midnight Conversations (2017)

The GZ piano duo is a New York-based duo comprising of Mexican pianist Citlalli Guevara and Bulgarian pianist Slavina Zhelezova. Hailed for their dynamic interpretations, powerful stage presence, and elegance, the GZPD combines the cultural heritages and temperaments of Latin America and Eastern Europe. The duo was launched in 2009 and has already established many “firsts” in Latin-America and Mexico including premieres of pieces and many first-of-a-kind concerts. The GZPD has appeared in recitals and soloist with orchestras on three continents including Mexico, USA, Belgium, France and Taiwan, for audiences ranging from an intimate setting to a televised concert for 3000 (Uruapan, Mexico) and is committed to delivering an exhilarating experience to audiences worldwide by bringing a vast repertoire and original programming.

Midnight Conversations is the culmination of our work of the past few years. We have explored and performed a large repertoire together and certain pieces became an instant hit with audiences making works such as Piazzolla’s Tangos and Dvorak's Slavonic Dances a staple in our repertoire. From the very beginning, dance has been a prominent part of our recital programs and we’ve had a blast touring with our dance-themed shows The Dance Project, Dance on the Keys and From Waltz to Tango. Naturally, for our debut album, we chose a selection of our beloved dances combining audience favorites such as Piazzolla’s Tangos (in our own four-hand arrangement) with less known and rarely recorded works such as Albeniz’ Pavana-Capricho and Rachmaninov’s Six Morceaux, Op11.

The selections on Midnight Conversations aim to capture the romantic feel of four-hand piano music, for we will take you on an unforgettable trip from Vienna's 19th-century salons through the cafés of Paris' Montmartre, to the night scene in Buenos Aires. With special stops in rustic Bohemia and sunny Spain, the journey will conclude in aristocratic Russia. Sip on a delicious glass of wine while listening to the magic of gypsy rhythms and moving with the beat of passionate Argentinian tangos.

TRACKLIST

01. 3 Marches militaires, Op. 51, D. 733: No. 1 in D Major
02. Ma mère l'Oye, M. 60 (Version for Piano Duo): I. Pavane de la belle au bois dormant
03. Ma mère l'Oye, M. 60 (Version for Piano Duo): II. Petit poucet
04. Ma mère l'Oye, M. 60 (Version for Piano Duo): III. Laideronnette, Impératrice des pagodes
05. Ma mère l'Oye, M. 60 (Version for Piano Duo): IV. Les entretiens de la belle et de la bete
06. Ma mère l'Oye, M. 60 (Version for Piano Duo): V. Le jardin féerique
07. Sonata for Piano Duo, FP 8: I. Prelude
08. Sonata for Piano Duo, FP 8: II. Rustique
09. Sonata for Piano Duo, FP 8: III. Finale
10. Slavonic Dances, Series 2, Op. 72, B. 145: No. 10 in E Minor (Version for Piano Duo)
11. La Muerte del Ángel (Arr. P. Ziegler for Piano Duo)
12. Milonga del Ángel (Arr. P. Ziegler for Piano Duo)
13. Libertango (Arr. P. Ziegler for Piano Duo)
14. 6 Duets, Op. 11: No. 1, Barcarolle
15. 6 Duets, Op. 11: No. 2, Scherzo
16. 6 Duets, Op. 11: No. 3, Russian Theme
17. 6 Duets, Op. 11: No. 4, Waltz
18. 6 Duets, Op. 11: No. 5, Romance
19. 6 Duets, Op. 11: No. 6, Slava
20. 3 Mouvements de Pétrouchka: No. 1, Danse russe (Version for Piano Duo)