The Piano Duet Gold Rush: When Four Hands Made Fortunes
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Picture this: we're sitting at the piano, working through Johann Christian Bach's Op. 15 duets, when something strikes us. This music represents an extraordinary business story from the 18th century. Here's "The London Bach"—music master to Queen Charlotte herself—lending royal authority to what had been, just twelve months earlier, a quirky experiment in Charles Burney's workshop. As our hands navigate those elegant galant phrases (carefully avoiding collision), we're reminded that this wasn't simply artistic evolution. This was commerce and art intersecting in remarkable...
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Silent Film, Romanian Song, and the Enescu Festival Stage
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo preview their September 7 recital at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, featuring music by Enescu and Livia Teodorescu-Ciocănea. In this episode, the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo share their journey to the George Enescu International Festival in Bucharest, where they will perform on September 7 at the historic Suțu Palace. They explore the legacy of Romania’s greatest composer, George Enescu, and preview their all-Romanian program. The conversation highlights Madalina’s personal connection to her former professor Livia Teodorescu-Ciocănea, whose Sonatina Buffa pays...
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The Birth of Four-Hand Piano Music: A Revolutionary Musical Intimacy
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Episode 1: Who Started Writing Four-Hand Piano Music? Podcast Companion Article Who was the first person to write music specifically for two people sharing one keyboard? Why did it take until the 1760s for four-hand piano music to emerge? And what made the idea of two people sitting side by side at a piano so revolutionary—even scandalous—in 18th-century society? These are the questions we explore in our inaugural podcast episode, tracing the fascinating origins of four-hand piano music from its ancient roots to the groundbreaking compositions of three pioneering figures: Ernst Wilhelm...
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Mada & Hugh Piano Duo’s Unforgettable Summer of 2025
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
This summer has been nothing short of extraordinary for the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo, filled with premieres, collaborations, and unforgettable performances across continents. From the grandeur of Vienna to the vibrancy of Wilmington, Delaware, each stop on our journey added a new layer of meaning to our music-making. A World Premiere in Vienna Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă began the summer in Vienna with a landmark event: the world premiere of a new piano concerto written especially for her by close friend and collaborator, conductor, cellist, and composer Ovidiu Marinescu. Performed with the...
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Discovering Dobrogea: A Vibrant Four-Hand Piano Journey by Mada & Hugh
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Welcome to a new chapter in the musical travels of the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo! This time, we’re diving into the vibrant sounds of Romania with our latest arrangement: the Suita din Dobrogea (Suite from Dobrogea). Let us take you on a journey through music and culture as we explore the roots and rhythms of this unique region, all captured in a one-of-a-kind four-hand piano performance. A Love Letter to Romania Mada, born in Romania, shares a deep connection to her homeland, and Hugh, inspired by his partner, has embraced Romanian culture with enthusiasm. Together, we’ve been fascinated...
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Dealing With Performance Anxiety: Expert Tips for Musicians with Dr. Robert Hall
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
In this episode of the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast, we dive deep into the world of performance anxiety with Dr. Robert Hall, a renowned psychiatrist and former professional trombonist. Learn how to manage and deal with stage fright with practical tips, personal stories, and expert advice. 🎹 Topics Covered: Understanding the biology behind performance anxiety Psychological and social factors affecting musicians Practical tips for managing anxiety, including preparation, beta blockers, and CBT The importance of a balanced lifestyle for mental health Personal insights and experiences...
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Dating Tips for Romanians and Koreans: Insights from the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Welcome to the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast, where we dive into the beautiful fusion of Romanian and Korean cultures through music, life, and love. Today, we’re exploring an unusual yet exciting topic: dating tips for Romanians and Koreans. Whether you’re currently dating or married, these tips can help enhance your relationship, drawing from our personal experiences. Understanding Cultural Dynamics Expressiveness and Communication One of the first things Hugh noticed about Romanian women is their expressiveness and straightforward communication. Romanian culture encourages openness,...
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Lambert Orkis on Collaboration, Technology & Musical Evolution | MH Podcast Orkis Interview Part 3
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Welcome back to the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast. In this episode, we conclude our in-depth interview series with the illustrious collaborative pianist and professor Lambert Orkis from Temple University. In this final part, we delve into Lambert’s transition from a solo career to collaborative piano, his long-standing partnership with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, and his insights on the evolving landscape of classical music. Transition to Collaborative Piano Lambert Orkis began his musical journey as a solo pianist, but he quickly found his true calling in collaborative piano. In his...
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Lambert Orkis & Mstislav Rostropovich: A Legendary Partnership | MH Podcast Orkis Interview Part 2
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Welcome back to the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast. In this episode, we continue our engaging interview with the illustrious collaborative pianist and professor Lambert Orkis from Temple University. This is the second part of a three-part series where we delve into Professor Orkis's experiences post-graduation from the Curtis Institute of Music, his collaboration with the legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, and his relentless pursuit of musical excellence. The Path After Curtis Upon graduating from the Curtis Institute of Music, Lambert Orkis faced an existential crisis. Like many...
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Lambert Orkis' Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Mastery | MH Podcast Orkis Interview Part 1"
Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
Welcome to another episode of the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast. Today, we're thrilled to bring you the first part of our interview with the esteemed collaborative pianist and professor, Lambert Orkis from Temple University. This interview, originally conducted last year, delves into the early life, musical beginnings, and career of Professor Orkis. As we reflect on our first guest, we are excited to share his story and insights into his approach to music and life. Setting the Scene We filmed this special interview at Temple University's Boyer College of Music, specifically in Rock Hall, a...
info_outlineLove is in the air! For the month of February, we are going to celebrate Valentine's Day with romantic works for piano 4-hands. In this episode, we share works by two French female composers - Mel. Bonis and Cecile Chaminade. Born in 1857, Chaminade began composing at an early age and went on to have a successful career, with her music being performed throughout Europe and the United States. Chaminade was particularly known for her piano works, but she also composed for orchestra, chamber groups, and vocal ensembles. She was the first woman to be awarded the Légion d'Honneur for her contributions to French music and was also made a Chevalier of the Order of Leopold by the Belgian government. Despite facing the challenges of being a woman in the field of music composition, Chaminade persisted and became one of the most celebrated female composers of her time.
Mel Bonis was a French composer and pianist, born in 1858. She was a talented musician who composed over 200 works in her lifetime, including works for piano, chamber ensemble, and choir. Despite her notable accomplishments, her career was plagued by personal and professional tragedies. She struggled with poverty and a lack of recognition during her lifetime, and many of her works were not published until after her death. Additionally, she lost her husband and two of her children, which deeply affected her emotionally and creatively. Despite these challenges, Mel Bonis continued to compose and perform throughout her life, leaving a significant body of work as her legacy. Her music was rediscovered in the 20th century, and in recent years, there have been efforts to promote her music and to recognize her contributions to French music. The last work we play - Valse Lente by Mel. Bonis - is actually the piece we use as our piano duo's theme song in all our podcast episodes. Now you can enjoy it in its entirety!
1. Interlude et Bacchanle - Mel. Bonis
2. Idylle Arabe - Cecile Chaminade
3. Valse Lente - Mel Bonis
Visit our website to see a list of our upcoming concerts at https://www.madahugh.com/tour
And please support us on our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/madahughpianoduo Special thanks to our sponsor Cunningham Piano for providing the space and magnificent Bosendorfer 214 VC grand piano for us to play on! https://cunninghampiano.com