Bollani meets Joo

A Clash of Two Pianists with Class

Concept

When pianist and composer Stefano Bollani, the Italian jazz maestro of the keyboard, met pianist and composer Hyung-ki Joo, the British-Korean virtuoso of versatility, they swapped notes in rehearsals for Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos with conductor Sakari Oramo and the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. A new and exciting piano duo was born.

Following in the tradition of other symbiotic partnerships such as Friedrich Gulda and Chick Corea or Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock, Bollani and Joo bring a unique perspective and a special feel for the classics, while performing popular music with a touch of class. Joo comes from the world of classical music and Bollani from the world of jazz, yet this is by no means a crossover project: each pianist is equally at home in the other’s world.

Programme

Works by Béla Bartók, George Gershwin, Darius Milhaud, Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla, Richard Rodney Bennett, Graham Fitkin, Stefano Bollani, Hyung-ki Joo and others

Cast

Hyung-ki Joo

A smart, dashing performer with an industry buzz created as much by his charismatic presence as by his work at the keyboard. Billboard

Pianist, composer, and creative force Hyung-ki Joo is redefining the concert experience, playfully blending storytelling with musical innovation to engage audiences beyond traditional classical formats. On stage, he enraptures audiences with his jovial and contagious stage presence as well as his energetic, brilliantly virtuosic performances. He takes on various musical roles, crafting special projects that highlight him as pianist, conductor, communicator, composer, and artistic director. As a soloist, he has performed with renowned orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wiener Symphoniker, and Sinfonia Varsovia.

Hyung-ki Joo

Stefano Bollani

Stefano Bollani was born in Milan on 5 December 1972 and began playing the piano at the age of six. He made his professional debut at 15 and later studied jazz with Luca Flores, Mauro Grossi and Franco D’Andrea. After graduating from the Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini in Florence in 1993, he worked briefly as a session musician in pop, with artists including Raf and Jovanotti. He then established himself internationally as a jazz pianist, performing on major stages around the world.

Website of Stefano Bollani