DUO GAZZANA
The Gazzana sisters, violinist Natascia and pianist Raffaella, are so close in both art and life that they could pass for twins.
While Italian by birth, as well as in culture, tastes and early training, the duo received an international musical education from world-class musicians such as Bruno Canino, Ruggiero Ricci, Yehudi Menuhin, Corrado Romano, Piero Farulli, and Pierre Amoyal. At the same time they also nurtured other interests beyond music. Indeed they are both graduated with a degree from “La Sapienza” University of Rome: Natascia in visual arts, Raffaella in Italian literature. Both sisters love indulging their passions for the arts, cinema, reading, travel and languages.
Wherever they perform, from Milan to Seoul, from Rome to Hong Kong, from Paris to Singapore, from Oslo to Zurich, from Stockholm to Cape Town, from Wellington to Berlin, great acclaim follows. Duo Gazzana has been praised for its versatility in performing music from diverse periods, its programme choices, the warmth of its performances, its stage presence, and its natural ability to connect with its audience.
It was with great honour that the Duo performed for King Charles III, during his official visit to Italy, for the centenary of Sir William Walton’s birth.
Duo Gazzana was named “Ambassadors of the City of Florence” and “Guests of the Government of Japan” for the official celebrations marking the international relationship between Italy and Japan.
Natascia and Raffaella have performed live on the radio several times, including on ‘RaiRadio3’- which was broadcast live across Europe from the halls of the Quirinale Palace in Rome.
Duo Gazzana has performed in New York, in Tokyo, has toured in China and extensively in Asia, and has also recently performed in India, receiving considerable acclaim from the audiences and critics alike.
They have toured across the globe with a live performance in support of a multimedia show dedicated to the film director Andrei Tarkovsky.
Duo Gazzana had the honour of performing at a gala concert for State Counsellor and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, in the capital of Myanmar.
Duo Gazzana’s extensive repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary music.
The duo has a passion for exploring uncharted musical territories and often seeks out areas that are culturally and historically disparate. While their programmes contain a common thread linking the works of different composers, they maintain a deeply rooted connection to the finest and most original aspects of the Italian musical identity such as a sense of ‘cantabilità’, of melody, and of beauty. Through its exceptionally rigorous and faithful interpretations, Duo Gazzana highlights the enchantment of the music and the joy of listening, and strives to bring its audiences closer to such works of music that might appear difficult or esoteric.
Works have been dedicated to the duo by Valentin Silvestrov (Ukraine), Fabio Maffei (Switzerland), Bruno Canino (Italy), Michael Djupstrom (USA), Tonu Korvits (Estonia), Đặng Hữu Phuc (Vietnam).
Duo Gazzana is the first Italian chamber music group to record for the prestigious German label ECM Records. Their albums have received great international acclaim and are ranked by leading international magazines as among the best recordings. The duo has also received several nominations from the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) and Opus Klassik in Berlin. Their upcoming fifth album on ECM Records is in preparation.