Zuk piano duo concert review

The Zuk Duo has consistently promoted music by Canadian and Ukrainian composers. They have given first performances of many of their works, and several prominent composers have written especially for them. Professor Luba Zuk is a member of the piano faculty at McGill University. Ireneus Zuk is Professor and former Director of the School of Music at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

By Thomas Davidson

On Monday, February 12, presented by the Schulich School of Music, Luba and Ireneus Zuk returned to Pollack Hall at McGill University in Montreal. The sizeable and appreciative audience enjoyed a varied concert programme of works for two pianos that included something for everyone. The Zuks have become well known for their support of repertoire written by colleagues and compatriots and this concert was no exception.  Sonic Shadows by John Burge, a composition professor at Queen’s University, was written especially for them. The second half of the concert began with a premiere performance of a work by Ukrainian composer Hennady Lashenko entitled “…and the sounding of a mysterious bell, and the rustling of leaves in the wind…” The Zuks uncovered both of these works with the lucidity of a pair of sleuths.

As Zuk fans have become accustomed, the high level of artistry and technical display heard in the playing was exemplary.  However, the experience of a musical event in a way that could only be possible between a brother and sister team was even more impressive. If anyone needs justification for live versus recorded music, this is it. The duo team anticipated every nuance and unexpected turn of phrase in unity and their control of harmony covered the entire range of the spectrum. This was best exemplified in their performance of Wasserklavier by Luciano Berio, where the balance and voicing between pianos was exceptional.

The concert opened with Introduction and Rondo by Johan Nepomuk Hummel and closed with Francis Poulenc’s Sonata, two works from the more standard repertoire for two pianos. An arrangement of Fuga y Misterio by Astor Piazzola was also heard and the Zuks were able to conjure up an evocative atmosphere where one could imagine accordion and saxophone backup.

There were praises all round. The performers enjoyed armfuls of flowers and in turn, listeners were treated to two encores from the Zuk treasure-chest, one by Bilohrud, the other by the late Clermont Pepin. Ireneus dedicated the performance of the latter to the memory of the composer.

Thomas Davidson is a McGill University, Faculty Lecturer and Queen’s University, Assistant Professor (Piano, Musicianship