Role

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Ensemble

Country

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France

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Katia and Marielle Labèque are a French classical music duo known for their exceptional piano skills and unique interpretations of classical music. Born in Bayonne, France, in 1960 and 1952 respectively, the sisters were raised in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. Katia and Marielle's musical journey began when they were both enrolled in the Bayonne Conservatory, where they studied under the guidance of their mother, a pianist and music teacher. The sisters quickly showed a natural talent for the piano, and their mother recognized their potential and encouraged them to pursue a career in music. In 1977, Katia and Marielle made their debut as a duo at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, performing Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos. The performance was a huge success, and the sisters were soon in demand as a duo, performing in major concert halls around the world. Over the years, Katia and Marielle have performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. They have also collaborated with many renowned conductors, such as Sir Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, and Riccardo Chailly. One of the highlights of Katia and Marielle's career was their performance of Philip Glass's Double Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, which was written specifically for them. The piece premiered in 2015 at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and was later performed at the Barbican Centre in London and the Philharmonie de Paris. In addition to their performances as a duo, Katia and Marielle have also pursued successful solo careers. Marielle has recorded several solo albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major. Katia has also recorded solo albums, and has collaborated with artists such as Sting and Herbie Hancock. Throughout their career, Katia and Marielle have received numerous awards and accolades for their contributions to classical music. In 1998, they were awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and in 2011 they were awarded the Legion d'Honneur, the highest honor in France. Katia and Marielle are also known for their commitment to contemporary music, and have premiered works by many contemporary composers, including Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, and Bryce Dessner. They have also collaborated with artists from other genres, such as jazz pianist Chick Corea and singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. In addition to their musical career, Katia and Marielle are also known for their philanthropic work. They are the founders of the KML Foundation, which supports music education and cultural projects around the world. Today, Katia and Marielle continue to perform together as a duo, and are considered one of the most dynamic and innovative piano duos in the world of classical music. Their unique interpretations of classical music, combined with their technical skill and musicality, have earned them a devoted following and a place in the pantheon of great classical musicians.

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