Music on Thursdays
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Thursday 23 April 2026
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Duo Mimesi
piano 4 hands
Programme
Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
Eight Variations on an Original Theme D 813 Op 35 (1824)
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (1899-1963)
Sonate pour Piano à 4 Mains FP 8 (1918, revised 1939)
I Prelude
II Rustique
III Final
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Six Morceaux for Piano Duet Op 11 (1894) [26:00]
Barcarolle moderato (G minor)
Scherzo allegro (D major)
Thème russe andantino cantabile (B minor)
Valse tempo di valse (A major)
Romance andante con anima (C minor)
Slava / Glory allegro moderato (C major)
Concert duration approx: 45+ minutes
Please donate to help fund these concerts at: cafdonate.cafonline.org/14455
Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
Eight Variations on an Original Theme D 813 Op 35 (1824)
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (1899-1963)
Sonate pour Piano à 4 Mains FP 8 (1918, revised 1939)
I Prelude
II Rustique
III Final
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Six Morceaux for Piano Duet Op 11 (1894) [26:00]
Barcarolle moderato (G minor)
Scherzo allegro (D major)
Thème russe andantino cantabile (B minor)
Valse tempo di valse (A major)
Romance andante con anima (C minor)
Slava / Glory allegro moderato (C major)
Concert duration approx: 45+ minutes
Please donate to help fund these concerts at: cafdonate.cafonline.org/14455
Duo Mimesi
Formed in 2022, Duo Mimesi is a dynamic Italian piano duo formed by Federico Bucaioni and Gioia Barbera. Combining virtuosity, expressive depth, and refined ensemble playing, the duo captivates audiences with performances marked by brilliance, precision, and strong artistic intensity.
Both pianists graduated with highest honors and distinction from leading Italian conservatoires. Federico Bucaioni earned top distinctions in Piano at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome and in Chamber Music at the Licinio Refice Conservatory, developing a solid artistic identity deeply rooted in collaborative performance. His musical activity also includes significant collaborations, most notably with the renowned bandoneonist Héctor Ulises Passarella, with whom he performed at
the prestigious Teatro Verdi in Sassari and at the Forum Theatre in Rome.
Gioia Barbera graduated with highest honors, distinction, and special mention from the Licinio Refice Conservatory in Frosinone, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3 with orchestra as part of her final examination. She is currently completing a Master’s degree in Chamber Music at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole and, together with Federico Bucaioni, a three-year advanced specialization program in Piano Performance at the Accademia di Musica di Pinerolo with
internationally renowned artists.
Despite its comparatively recent formation, Duo Mimesi has already established a significant international presence, performing in Italy, Spain, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom to an enthusiastic public and to critical acclaim. In January 2025, the duo was invited to India, where they performed at the prestigious Mazda Hall in Pune and at the Deshmukh Auditorium of the India International Centre, concerts that achieved remarkable success.
In 2025, Duo Mimesi was awarded the First Absolute Prize (100/100) at the international chamber music competition Francavilla Fontana – Città degli Imperiali, resulting in an invitation to perform a prize concert in May 2026. Their international activity continues to expand, with a major tour scheduled for July 2026 across Australia and New Zealand.
In Newcastle NSW, the duo will appear twice at the prestigious Newcastle Music Festival at the University of Newcastle: once in a duo recital and once performing Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle alongside internationally renowned artists.
With a repertoire ranging from the great classics of the piano duo tradition to brilliant contemporary works, Duo Mimesi stands out for its powerful musical synergy, stylistic versatility, and compelling stage presence, positioning the ensemble as a sought-after act for international festivals and concert series.
Recordings of the works in today's concert
Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
Eight Variations on an Original Theme D 813 Op 35 (1824) [19:30]
This fine performance comes from Novosibirsk and the players are Anatoly Polonsky and Elvira Polonskaya
Eight Variations on an Original Theme D 813 Op 35 (1824) [19:30]
This fine performance comes from Novosibirsk and the players are Anatoly Polonsky and Elvira Polonskaya
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (1899-1963)
Sonate pour Piano à 4 Mains FP 8 (1918, revised 1939) [6:35]
I Prelude
II Rustique
III Final
Does this music still feel revolutionary these days? It is quite a contrast to the style of the Schubert above!
The pianists here are Duo BarCa - Julia Barreiro and Lorenzo Cattel and they are recording in the Palais Lichtenau in Potsdam, some 25 miles south west of Berlin:
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Six Morceaux for Piano Duet Op 11 (1894) [26:00]
Barcarolle moderato (G minor)
Scherzo allegro (D major)
Thème russe andantino cantabile (B minor)
Valse tempo di valse (A major)
Romance andante con anima (C minor)
Slava / Glory allegro moderato (C major)
We've not heard a recording with the score lately so let's fix that with this performance by Thorson & Thurber - Ingryd Thorson and Julian Thurber:
Next concert
30 April 2026 - Jonasz Szachtmajer • violin, Emanuil Ivanov • piano click here
Previous concert
16 April 2026 - Angeliki Giannopoulou • piano (from RAM) - click here
