Murasaki Duo - Duo Virtuoso (2015)

Praised by the New York Concert Review as having “an easy virtuosity” and demonstrating “an unusually high level of ensemble playing” in their recent Carnegie Hall appearance, the Murasaki Duo has been enchanting audiences with their stylish and vivacious playing ever since its founding in 1996.

This most accomplished duo – consisting of cellist Eric Kutz and pianist Miko Kominami – serves as Ensemble-in Residence at Iowa’s Luther College, where both are professors. Here they offer this varied and delightfully appealing program, including lighthearted bonbons like Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s tongue-in-cheek 'Figaro' from Rossini’s Barber of Seville and Bohuslav Martinu’s ingenious and engaging Variations on a Theme from Rossini’s Moses.

Earthy Latin flavours abound, thanks to Alberto Ginastera’s rhapsodic Pampeana No.2 and Astor Piazzolla’s sensual Le Grand Tango. Finally, there’s Johannes Brahms’ timeless masterpiece: the darkly ruminative and complex Cello Sonata No.1 in E minor.

Captured in rich and pristine sound, these wonderful performances will enchant any lover of chamber music: particularly those partial to music for cello and piano.