Austin Critics Table Award

Each year, critics in Austin, Texas recognize the most outstanding arts events of the previous season. This year’s Austin Critics Table Awards recognize exceptional work from May 1, 2004 to April 30, 2005. Duo Turgeon has been nominated in the chamber music performance category, for their performance of Rachmaninoff’s Suite for two pianos, Opus 18, at the Austin Chamber Music Festival, July, 2004. Other nominees include the Miro String Quartet and pianist Anton Nel.

Another Successful CD

Following the success of their debut release on the Marquis Classics label, Duo Turgeon’s second CD, “Latin American Journey” has been released. Reviews have been stellar, including five out of five stars given by Rick Phillips on CBC’s CD review program “Sound Advice”, and five out of five stars given by Bruno Deschenes in the arts periodical “La Scena Musicale”.

Next CD Project

Duo Turgeon is completing the final editing for an all—Brahms CD, scheduled for release in early 2006, including a rarely heard composer’s arrangement of the Symphony in e minor, Op. 98, for two pianos, and the Sonata for Two Pianos, Op. 34.

Duo Turgeon Takes to the Waves

Duo Turgeon recently performed on the Radisson’s cruise ship “Seven Seas Navigator”. The Duo departed from Reykjavik, Iceland, sailing to Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Boston and New York, performing several times along the way. This is the first such “voyage” for the duo.

Appearance on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today”

The Duo Turgeon has been featured several times on the well known American radio program, National Public Radio’s “Performance Today”.

Duo Turgeon invited for a live performance/interview on WGBH radio, Boston

The Duo Turgeon gave an engaging interview/performance on Boston’s WGBH radio.
Visit WGBH’s website to hear the duo’s performances of works by Brahms, Schubert, Grieg, Bach, Mozart and Piazzola.

University Life

Duo Turgeon has been given the honor of an ensemble—in—residence position at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Arts and Humanities, School of the Arts, in Boca Raton, Florida. As part of the position, the duo gives performances, teaches applied piano, chamber music, and related courses to undergraduate and graduate students. The year 2005 marks the sixth year of Duo Turgeon’s wonderful affiliation with Florida Atlantic University.

Duo Turgeon invited to join the distinguished international roster of Steinway Artists

In March 2005, the Duo Turgeon received an invitation from New York’s Steinway and Sons to join their distinguished international roster of Steinway Artists. The Turgeons accepted Steinway’s offer, joining ranks which include the most accomplished pianists of our time. Ms. Victoria Voketaitis, head of Concerts and Artist Activities for Steinway, summed it up as follows:

”It is now my pleasure to officially welcome you both to the distinguished international roster of Steinway Artists. Although you have long been considered a member of the Steinway Artist family through your professional involvement with our piano, it is most appropriate that we now formalize your affiliation… my colleagues and I look forward to working with you in the future and to a long and beneficial association.”

Appearance in a Television Documentary

The Duo Turgeon is featured in the television documentary “Two Pianos — One Passion”, appearing on PBS television stations throughout the United States. The documentary features the duo’s prize-winning performances during various competitive stages of the prestigious Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition.

Latest Festival Activities

Among their many festival appearances, Duo Turgeon will begin a fourth visiting artist faculty residency at the Austin Chamber Music Festival, Austin, Texas, in July, 2005. The duo’s Austin Chamber Music Festival performances have been described in the Austin American Statesman newspaper as follows:

“The Duo Turgeon displayed the same cultured and closely matched tone that was noted in July 2003. Saturday’s program also brought some surprisingly appealing compositions and brilliant pianism.

Mendelssohn’s Andante and Allegro for piano four—hands produced dazzling sounds like trails of spar… each half of the program ended with an invocation of Latin dances. First was William Bolcom’s “Recuerdos” from 1991, a three—movement suite full of the sheer delight and flashes of musical wit. Later came the version for two pianos of Astor Piazzola’s “Grand Tango” composed in 1982. The combination of refined compositional craft and the sultry mood of the tango was intoxicating.

The peak of the evening, however, was the Suite No. 1 for two pianos by Rachmaninoff… the performers, clearly in control of all aspects of style, painted richly colored pictures in sound…”