The Ivory Duo Piano Ensemble was formed in 1997 soon after the pianists' marriage. Their first public appearance took place in 1997 at the Parnassos Concert Hall in Athens sponsored by a local conservatory. Soon after, they became sought-after in Greece as a duo securing appearances at the American College of Greece (where they also appeared as artist-teachers in residence at a celebratory concert for the 125 years since the founding of the College in 2003), and with Altera Musica, a circle of new music composers whose activities were funded mostly by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Youth.
As a duo they have recorded for the Greek National Radio Station ERA-3 and have performed in such venues as the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, St-John's Smith Square in London, St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Blackheath Halls for the celebration concert of Douglas Finch's 50th birthday (composer & then Head of Piano at Trinity College of Music, Greenwich, UK). Also, at the New Masters' Piano Series 2007, the EKON Festival in London, Alkan Festival (organised by the late Yonti Solomon, Chair of the Alkan Society), Charlton House, Morley College, Waltham Abbey, St James' Piccadilly, the Reform Club, Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building (Oxford University), Conway Hall, etc.
Their CD Romantic Dance Music for Piano Duet, recorded live and released in October 2009, was requested by the Archive for Greek Music and Musicians at the Lilian Voudouris Library of the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) and recently received a rave review hailed as an important musical event of international standing in the well-respected Greek music magazine JAZZ KAI TZAZ (April 2011), reviewed by the musicologist Thomas Tamvakos.
The duo's reputation rests on exciting performances and innovative programming. Rarely known to turn down a performance of new music or little known works has attracted the interest of composers and concert promoters in Greece, the UK and abroad. Their own programming usually combines well-loved repertoire with their own arrangements of film-music. Their flexibility has allowed them to offer concerts for both piano 4-hands and for two pianos.
Natalie and Panayotis with Miklos Rozsa Society's European representative Alan Hamer at Steinway Hall, London.
Natalie and Panayotis have embarked in probably their most exciting season yet with a live performance and interview at Resonance FM (Sound Out, Carole Finer, 104.4) on February 2012, a concert for piano 4-hands at the Blackheath Halls in March 2012 (for ticket booking please click here), as well as a workshop & masterclass at Colfes' in April (more details to follow soon). Further appearances are being scheduled for the UK and abroad in 2012 and 2013.
