Kramer Durcan Duo

Miriam Kramer (violin)

Nicholas Durcan (piano)

 

Saint-Saëns/Kramer Durcan

Menagerie Fantastique (based on Carnival of the Animals)

Beethoven

Spring Sonata No.5 op.24 

Allegro

Adagio molto espressivo

Scherzo: Allegro molto

Rondo: Allegro Ma non troppo

Piazzolla

Oblivion & Libertango

Saint-Saëns

Danse Macabre Op.40

 

INTERVAL

 

Szymanowski

Song of Roxanne (from King Roger)

Elgar

Sonata in E minor op.82 

Allegro

Romance: Andante

Allegro non troppo

Gershwin

Two Songs 

Khachaturian/Kramer Durcan

Spartacus

 

Miriam Kramer began studying the violin at age four, giving her first public performance at the age of seven, with Mozart's Concerto in G Major. Since then, her solo recitals and concerto performances have taken her round the world to such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center (USA), Wigmore Hall, Barbican Hall, St.Davids's, Queen Elizabeth Hall (UK), Vienna Konzerthaus (Austria) & Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (France). Praised by Strad Magazine as a “violinist of superior natural talent, an exceptionally sensitive interpreter and a phrase maker of uncommon expressivity” and by the NY Times as a “soulful and virtuosic performer”, Miriam has also received critical acclaim for her 6 CDs, including Editor's Choice for her recording of the violin music of Ernest Bloch, from Gramophone Magazine who has said “Kramer's playing could hardly be more heartfelt. Scanning the catalogue for rivals, her musicianship is irresistible.”

Alongside her performing and recording schedule, Miriam maintains a busy private teaching practice and is regularly invited to give masterclasses at the Dartington Festival and for the Benslow Music Trust. She champions the music of new composers and her latest project, a recording of Elegy, by British composer Andrew Pearce, with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, has led to invitations from other composers in France and the USA to record and perform their music. Miriam has performed on Classic FM and Radio 3 and has appeared on BBC television in a tribute to Yehudi Menuhin and in Victoria Wood's programme Nice Cup of Tea, filmed at Claridge's hotel. Future invitations include performances in Las Vegas, Cincinnati, New York, Monaco and Israel.

Nicholas Durcan studied the piano with Hamish Milne and Angus Morrison, and organ with Alan Harverson at the Royal Academy of Music, where he won many prizes including the highest performing award-the Recital Diploma. Upon graduating, he was immediately invited to be organist at Westminster Cathedral and held this position for 2 years. In the following year, he made his concerto debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and has since performed concertos at the Royal Festival Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, and has given recitals at the Purcell Room, broadcast on Classic FM, BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4, and appeared on several TV programmes.

He performs regularly in the USA and has given solo and chamber music recitals in Sweden, Germany, Holland, France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Switzerland & Hong Kong. Nicholas is also an acclaimed jazz pianist and appears regularly with London's top jazz musicians. In conjunction with a performing career he is also a composer and arranger and has written the music for the BBC series A Painters World and the Channel 4 film The Daughters of De Beauvoir. He has released a number of recordings, including the piano works of British composer Billy Mayerl and a CD for Naxos of the violin and piano works of Szymanowski with violinist Miriam Kramer, described by American Record Guide as “flawless and beautiful” and that “Durcan plays with warmth and affection”. The Observer noted of one performance – “undoubtedly the highlight of the evening was Nicholas Durcan's sparkling and virtuosic performance of Rhapsody in Blue”.