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 na...

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, Georg...

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...

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...

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...

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 aff...

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 Dynam...

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...

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...

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...

In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting the extraordinary Trio Casals. This ensemble features violinist Timothy Schwarz, cellist Ovidiu Marinescu, and pianist Madalina Dallina. Join us as we dive into their fascinating journey, musical experiences, and the unique dynamics that make Trio Casals a compelling force in the classical music world. The Formation of Trio Casals Hugh...

Join Madalina Danila and Hugh Sung in a heartfelt and exhilarating new episode of the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast. 🎶💑 From tying the knot to gearing up for grand performances, they share a cascade of personal and professional updates. 🔔 In This Episode: A New Beginning: Madalina and Hugh reveal their recent marriage and plans for a future celebration. 🥂 Podcasting Innovations: Discover how H...

In the vast universe of classical music, there's a unique kind of magic that emerges when two pianists collaborate, bringing to life the harmonious blend of four hands and two souls. One such collaboration that has caught the attention of the global music community is the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo. This dynamic duo has not only been creating ripples with their enchanting performances but has also been...

There's a certain magic that unfurls when two pianists share a musical space. This magic is evident in the harmonious interplay between Mada & Hugh, a celebrated piano duo that has captivated audiences and listeners with their virtuosic performances and insightful commentaries. As the curtains rise on the second season of their weekly podcast series, music enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to...

In our duo concerts, we love to include solo piano works whenever possible. For our recent recital at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Clifton Heights, we had the opportunity to share works by Chinese composer Chen Xun Pei - "Autumn Moon Over Peaceful Lake" - and by Romanian composer Paul Constantinescu, "Dobrudjan Dance". "Autumn Moon Over Peaceful Lake" is a beautiful and contemplative solo piano pie...

On April 26, 7:30 pm, Madalina will be performing the entire set of Makrokosmos, Book 1 by George Crumb at Rock Hall, Temple University. In this episode, Madalina demonstrates 6 of the 12 pieces from the set, performed as part of her New York City debut at the Romanian Cultural Institute earlier this month. Makrokosmos Book 1 is a composition by American composer George Crumb, originally written f...

In this episode, Mada & Hugh perform Mozart's Sonata in D major for Piano 4-hands, K. 381. This sonata is a stunning example of the composer's mastery in creating intricate and expressive music for the keyboard. Composed in 1772, this sonata is one of Mozart's earliest works for piano duos and reflects his love for opera. In fact, Mozart's operatic influences can be heard throughout this sonata, p...

We recently took a short vacation to Montauk, NY, home of the first lighthouse in the USA built by George Washington around 1690, and the Easternmost point in the States. Why visit a cold beach in March? This was thanks to the recommendation of Madalina's teacher, Dr. Sara Davis Buechner, who loves this spot for its isolation and simplicity. When you want to get away from it all, this is definitel...

In this video, Mada & Hugh recreate the iconic "La Vie en rose" by Édith Piaf, arranged for piano 4-hands by Kyunghoon Kim. This beautiful arrangement will have you shedding tears of joy as you listen to Mada & Hugh's stunning renditions of this beloved classic. If you're a fan of Édith Piaf, then you need to check out this piano duo's performance of "La Vie en rose." This beautiful arrangement wi...

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! We continue our exploration of romantic music for the month of February with a world premiere performance of "Four Hands, One Heart" by Gary Schocker.  Gary is one of the world's most prolific and published composers - Hugh first got to know Gary from playing his works for flute at piano with students at Curtis, and then with some wonderful performances, collaborati...

We continue our February podcast episodes dedicated to love with this performance of "Habanera" Op. 65 by Moritz Moszkowski. Moszkowski was a German-Jewish pianist and composer who lived from 1854 to 1925. He was born in Breslau, Prussia (now Wrocław, Poland) and is known for his virtuosic piano compositions, which often blend elements of Spanish and French musical styles. Moszkowski was a prolifi...

Love 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. Chami...

Happy New Year Everyone! We kick off our 2023 season with a fiery rendition of Tico-Tico No Fuba by Zequinha De Abreu, arranged for piano 4 hands by Amaral Vieira. We were inspired by piano videos using the Synthesia app to show notes falling down onto the keyboard (see YouTuber Rousseau for example), and thought we'd try our hand at making one of these types of videos. To do so, we recorded our p...

https://madahugh.com/podcast Vince Guaraldi's iconic Peanuts music is a staple of holiday classics everywhere, and now you can experience it just the way Mada & Hugh do – piano duet style! In this performance of Linus & Lucy, the duo takes on the iconic song with a fun, festive twist – playing it with 4-hands on one piano! This piano duo performance of Linus & Lucy is a unique way to get into the...