Programme

L. van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)            Seven Variations in Eb Major on a theme from The Magic Flute

F. Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)                      Song without words in D Major op. 109

                                                                       Andante

R. Schumann (1810 – 1856)                           Drei Fantasiestücke op. 73

F. Liszt (1811 – 1886)                                      Liebestraum op. 62 no. 3

(arr. G. Cassadó)                                             Con affetto, poco allegro

C. Franck (1822 – 1890)                                       Sonata in A Major

The Karlsruhe Konzert Duo, founded 1999 by the cellist Reinhard Armleder and the pianist Dagmar Hartmann is very successful and in demand in Germany and abroad. The ensemble established itself not least by winning several international competitions in Italy and France. The Duo is regularly highly praised for fascinating its public by the depth of its interpretations, brilliant technique and its imaginative choice of programmes. In their repertoire, the two musicians concentrate on classical-romantic literature and twentieth-century music. They are particularly interested in the rediscovery of lesser-known composers and works, but they also dedicate themselves time and again to the music of the modern age and bring works dedicated to the present to their world premieres.

Dagmar and Reinhard studied at Karlsruhe, Trossingen and Berlin University of Music and were inspired by master classes led by Lynn Harrell, Steven Isserlis, Janos Starker, Gaby Casadesus, Bruno Canino, Leonard Hokanson and the Beaux-Arts Trio. As a duo, they have won first prize at various international competitions such as the Lorenzo Perosi Competition, Biella (1999), in Moncalieri (1999), and at the Racconigi Competition (2001). In France, the Karlsruher Konzert Duo won the Concours Pierre Lantier, Paris (2000) and the U.A.F.M. Competition, Chaville (2003). Their success in these competitions brought the two musicians a great deal of attention and opened up engagements on national and international podiums, setting the stage for concerts worldwide.

Today their concert calendar includes regular tours throughout Europe, as well as North, central and South America, the Middle East, Asia and countries of southern Africa. The duo has performed in more than 80 countries on all continents and has enjoyed success at  prestigious stages and concert series, most notably, the Schubert Society, London, Verbier Festival, Switzerland, Festival de Musique aux Château de Bourglinster, Luxembourg, Festival Art November, Moscow, International Bach Festival, Kaliningrad, Haifa Music Festival, Israel, Rovinj International Music Festival, Croatia, Barenboim-Said-Foundation, Ramallah, Festival Friends of Jordan, Amman, International Music Festiva Kharkiv Assemblee, Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, South Africa, Braşov Music Festival, Romania, Alem Saz International Music Festival Astana, Kazachstan, Concert series Palais Ennejma Ezzahra, Tunisia, Vendsyssl Festival, Denmark, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe/, and the Melbourne Music Society.

The Duo has recorded various radio and television productions as well as several CD´s with Fiori Classics label. In addition to their teaching activities at the Karlsruhe Conservatory, both artists are regular guest lecturers of masterclasses in Switzerland, South Africa, Panama and Kasachstan. To quote praise by a specialist publication: ‘it is rare to find a duo with such a fortunate and intense combination of a kindred musicality, affinity and interaction with their instruments’.