The Guevara-Zhelezova Piano Duo

The Guevara-Zhelezova
Piano Duo
G UEVARA-ZHELEZOVA
Piano Duo
Hailed for their dynamic interpretations, powerful
stage presence, and elegance, the Guevara-Zhelezova
Piano Duo has been praised as “impeccable, simply
wonderful!” (El Sol de Orizaba, Mexico), “…great
display of talent” (Diario De Morelos, Mexico) “…
exotic, stunning and sensual” (Atencion San Miguel,
Mexico.) Named “remarkable entertainers,” the
unique duo combines the cultural heritages and
temperaments of Latin America and Eastern Europe
and is committed to bringing a vast repertoire
ranging from Baroque to newly commissioned
works to audiences of all ages all over the world.
Mexican pianist Citlalli Guevara and Bulgarian
pianist Slavina Zhelezova, both winners of
prestigious international competitions and
awards, began their musical collaboration in 2008
as two young pianists in the highly competitive
Bell’arte Foundation Program based in Brussels.
Working closely under the tutelage of Nelson delle
Vigne Fabbri and Philippe Entremont, the two
immediately bonded based on their shared vision
for the unique artistic potential of the music for
duo piano. The duo debuted to a standing ovation
at the Palm Beach International Piano Festival in
February 2009.
Since then, the duo has performed across three
continents as soloists and recitalists. Recent
highlights include the highly-acclaimed LatinAmerican premiere of Schnittke’s four-hand
concerto together with the Guanajuato Symphony
Orchestra in Guanajuato, Mexico, a four-hand
recital at the legendary classical series at the
Cornelia Street Café in New York City and recitals
at the Pro-Musica Concert Series in San Miguel de
Allende, Mexico. The duo has also appeared with
Puebla Symphony Orchestra (Puebla, Mexico), and
Michoacan Symphony Orchestra (Morelia, Mexico)
performing a ten-concert marathon of Saint-Saens’
Carnival of the Animals. Their performance of
Mozart Double Concerto with Sonora Philharmonic
Orchestra in Hermosillo, Mexico, received wide
acclaim, marking the first performance on two
pianos in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Festival
performances have included Schumann-Chopin
International Piano Festival (Cuernavaca, Mexico),
Palm Beach International Piano Festival (Palm
Beach, USA), Taiwan National Orchestra Summer
Festival and Xalapa International Summer Festival
(Xalapa, Mexico).
The duo has worked under the baton of
conductors Samuel Robles, Eduardo SánchezZúber, Alfredo Hernández-Reyes and Arturo
Quezadas.
The duo has toured Mexico extensively with
many sold-out performances including Teatro
del Estado in Xalapa, Teatro Clavijero in Veracruz
and Teatro Ocampo in Cuernavaca. In Uruapan,
Mexico, the duo presented the first ever
performance on two pianos to an audience of
3,000, which was televised. The duo is active in
introducing audiences to duo piano repertoire
and has given the Mexican premiere of Ravel’s
Bolero and Pablo Ziegler’s arrangements of
Piazzolla’s tangos for two pianos. They also
performed the highly-acclaimed Taiwanese
premiere of Ziegler’s tango arrangements at
the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra Hall
in Taichung.
Highlights of the 2014-15 season include
orchestra appearances with the Baroque
Orchestra of New Jersey, Loja Symphony
Orchestra(Ecuador) and Shumen Philharmonic
Orchestra (Bulgaria); recitals at NM State
Music Conference for the Professional Music
Teachers and Abiquiu Chamber Music Festival
(New Mexico).
The duo will tour Mexico to present their
“Noche del Tango” project at theatres in Mexico
City, Los Mochis, La Paz, Merida, Zacatecas,
Xalapa, Orizaba and Veracruz. The duo will
also perform four-hand and two-piano recitals
in various U.S. venues in New York, New Jersey
and South Carolina and will return to their alma
mater, Manhattan School of Music, for a special
presentation recital. The duo will also release
debut CD with works for four hands and two
pianos.
In addition to their duo pursuit, both enjoy
successful international career as soloists
and chamber musicians. Citlalli earned her
Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of
Veracruz and Master of Music Degree at the
Manhattan School of Music; Slavina holds
Bachelor of Music degree from the Mannes
College of Music, Master of Music Degree from
the Manhattan School of Music and is currently
working on her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree
at the Manhattan School of Music.
PRESS
Citlalli and Slavina captivate at the Teatro Principal
...Citlalli, Slavina and the Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra get a standing ovation at the Teatro Principal...
Manuel Carrillo, Periódico AM- March 17, 2014
Four Hands-One Piano
...And, I should mention, two pairs of very elegant heels! The Guevara and Zhelezova Piano Duo are not just the
most talented piano duo in Latin America, but the best looking as well…and wait until you see the sensual way
they play the piano and twist and turn around it like elegant dancers performing a musical ballet on the black
and white keys...
Michael Pearl- November 30, 2012
Stunning piano duo to make their debut in San Miguel
...These two young women come on stage in ravishing slinky evening gowns, complementing their long dark
hair and fashion model looks... They sometimes get up and dance while still hitting the keyboard... They are
remarkable entertainers known for their dynamic interpretations, energetic stage performances and original
programs...
Beverly Russell, November 22, 2012
Citlalli Guevara and Slavina Zhelezova astonish audiences with their performance at the SchumannChopin Piano Festival.
...The synchrony and perfect harmony of four hands on one piano impressed the audience at Teatro Ocampo…
the pianists swayed with perfect synchrony and rhythm, with their eyes focused on the score they were playing.
Later, each took to her own instrument individually to demonstrate a great display of talent...
Ingrid Díaz, Diario de Morelos- June 12, 2010
Two women, two pianos, four hands and a connoisseur audience were the elements that
assured a most successful musical evening last Friday when pianists Citlalli Guevara and Slavina
Zhelezova performed their “Del Vals al Tango II” recital at the Teatro Clavijero.
...This fascinating recital, giving the audience an unforgettable experience, offered an explosion of
different feelings, provoked by the tenderness and gentleness of the rhythmical waltzes and, on the other
hand, by the fast and melancholic sways of the tangos... Both pianists performed with an evident command
of technique and virtuosity beyond question; performed with vigor … ending their performance with a
virtuoso interpretation of Ravel’s La Valse...
Jorge González, Imagen de Veracruz- June 14, 2010
With tremendous success, Bulgarian and Mexican concert pianists Slavina Zhelezova and
Citlalli Guevara, dazzled the Uruapan audience giving a recital for 1200 people at the DIF
Cultural Center
...Such a concert was an enormous treat for the people of Uruapan and the impact on the audience was
unmatched; an event of such importance is historical for the city… The event concluded with a euphoric
standing ovation and the perfect harmony of Maurice Ravel’s La Valse. This was a unique event of top-notch
level without any question!...
Quadratín- Agencia mexicana de información y análisis June 12, 2010
…Nothing less than excellent…
...This recital brought back musical events of highest standard in the most successful way...
Impeccable, simply wonderful!...
Eblyn Josafat Molina, El sol de Orizaba- June 8, 2010
Guevara-Zhelezova offered a fascinating demonstration of talent and synchrony
…Magnificent concert! ...The concert concluded with an enormous standing ovation...
Yoshio Mtz. Alvarez , El mundo de Orizaba- June 11, 2010
GZPD ON THE WEB
WEBSITE
www.guevarazhelezova.com
AUDIO SAMPLES
M. Ravel- Ma mère l’oye
http://pianoduo.weebly.com/ravel--ma-mere-loye.html
S. Rachmaninov- Six morceaux, op. 11
http://pianoduo.weebly.com/rachmaninov--six-morceaux-op-11.html
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
A. Schnittke – Concerto for Piano Four Hands and Chamber Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv4PnscsXhQ
A. Piazzolla- Milonga del ángel, Libertango, Soledad
Four-hand arrangement by Guevara-Zhelezova Piano Duo
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEC9BB52AF11A5EDC
M. Ravel- Ma mère l’oye
Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant, Petite Poucet, Laideronnette, Impératrice des Pagodes
Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête, Le jardin féerique
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE76B030EDF721F4F
S. Rachmaninov- Six morceaux , op. 11
Barcarolle, Scherzo, Thème Russe, Valse, Romance, Slava!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A305EC6A0B1D577
A. Piazzolla - La Muerte del ángel, Milonga del ángel, Libertango
Two-piano arrangement by Pablo Ziegler
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8732EFA280B7D44D
REPERTOIRE
ORCHESTRAL
CONCERTOS FOR TWO PIANOS
CONCERTOS FOR FOUR HANDS
AND ORCHESTRA
AND ORCHESTRA
B. Bartok
Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion
and Orchestra
C. Czerny
Concerto for Piano Four Hands and Orchestra
in C major, Op. 153
W. A. Mozart
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 365
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in F major, K. 242
F. Poulenc
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in D minor
C. Saint-Saëns
Le carnaval des animaux
A. Schnittke
Concerto for Piano Four Hands and Chamber Orchestra
SPECIAL PROJECT
to be presented in one concert
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 365
and Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in F major, K. 242
TWO-PIANO
SAMPLE PROGRAMS
TWO-PIANO RECITAL
W. A. Mozart
Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448
R. Schumann-Debussy
Six Canonic Etudes, Op. 56
F. Chopin
Rondo in C major, Op. 16
S. Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, Op. 17
M. Ravel
La valse
“From Waltz to Tango”
J. Brahms
Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5
S. Rachmaninov
Six morceaux, op. 11
J. P. Moncayo
Huapango
P. Vladigerov
Hora Staccato
A. Piazzolla
Milonga del Angel, Muerte del Angel,
Soledad, Libertango
M. Ravel
Bolero, La valse
“Noche de Tango”
A. Piazzolla
Adios Nonino, Libertango
Soledad, Fuga y Misterio
P. Ziegler
El empedrado
Asfalto
I. Stravinsky
Tango
A. Piazzolla
Muerte del Angel, Milonga del Angel
Michelangelo 70, Verano Porteño
Le Grand Tango
FOUR-HAND
SAMPLE PROGRAMS
Dance on the Keys
FOUR-HAND RECITAL
A. Piazzolla
Soledad, Milonga del Angel and
Libertango
(arr. by Zhelezova/Guevara)
F. Schubert
March militaire No.1
in D Major, D. 778
Fantasy in F Minor, D. 940
J. P. Moncayo
Huapango
M. Ravel
Ma mère l’oye
A. Dvořák
Slavonic Dance, Op. 72 No. 2
in E minor
J. Brahms
Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5
M. Ravel
Ma mère l’oye
S. Rachmaninov
Six morceaux, Op. 11
Stravinsky Ballet Night
I. Stravinsky
Petrushka
I. Stravinsky
Rite of Spring
W.A. Mozart
Sonata in D major, K. 381
S. Rachmaninov
Six morceaux, Op. 11
J. Brahms
Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 2, 4
and 5
A Vienna Soirée
F. Schubert
Trois marches militaires, D. 788
W.A. Mozart
Sonata in D Major, K. 381
L.V. Beethoven
Sonata in D Major, Op. 6
W.A. Mozart
Sonata in C major, K. 521
F. Schubert
Fantasy in F minor, D. 940