An Evening of Piano & Cello
Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo

FREE Admission
Thursday, August 1, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Valley Keyboards
(956) 686-4863
Miller Recital Hall
900 Harvey - McAllen, TX
Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo
Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo is a professional, critically acclaimed chamber music ensemble formed in 2016. Pianist Dr. Elena Nezhdanova and cellist Dr. Roman Placzek met while pursuing their doctorate studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After their first full professional engagement at the North Carolina Bach Festival in the spring of 2016, the two friends and professional colleagues decided to extend their collaboration, and the decision led to still-lasting professional and personal relationship. The two took over the management of the North Carolina Bach Festival, restoring its status, reinventing its mission, reimagining its reach, and widening its success. As a duo, Roman and Elena played several concerts along the East Coast of the United States. They made several European trips, playing recitals, collaborating with outstanding European colleagues (violist Vladimir Bukac, pianist Eliska Novotna, and cellists Jakub Tylman and Lukas Novotny), and giving masterclasses in the Czech Republic, Germany, and England. The COVID pandemic halted the Newzhdanova-Placzek Duo’s activities and made its members rethink their priorities and strategy. Professional and personal reasons brought them to the decision to come to New York, where they are now settling in their new home and are in the process of establishing their new company, BumbleBee Notes™ Inc. During their short two years in New York, the ensemble made an impact on local chamber music scene drawing the attention of chamber music audience and praise from critics. Both members are also active as music teachers. Elena teaches piano at Hamilton College and maintains a large and successful piano studio. Besides teaching, Roman is currently working on his groundbreaking method, The Physiology of Cello Playing, which BumbleBee Notes™ Music Publishing, the music publishing division of BubmbleBee Notes™ Inc., will publish. This year, the ensemble received two grants from CNY Arts to promote chamber music among young musicians and commission chamber music pieces from young aspiring composers from historically underrepresented communities.
For more information about the Duo and its activities, please visit bumblebeenotes.com.
The Program
Frank Bridge (1879 - 1941)
Four Pieces for Cello and Piano
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Berceuse (1901)
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Serenade (1903)
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Elegy (1904)
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Cradle Song (1910)
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
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Kol Nidrei, Op. 47
Josef Suk (1874-1935)
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Ballade and Serenade, Op.3
Intermission
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
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Silent Woods, Op. 68
Roman Placzek (ASCAP)
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Dumka, Op. 2 (1988)
Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)
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Variations on Slovak National Song, H 378
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THEME, Poco Andante
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VAR. 1, Moderato
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VAR.2, Poco Allegro
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VAR. 3, Moderato
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VAR. 4, Scherzo, Allegretto
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VAR. 5, Allegro