Rooted by a sibling bond that transcends the familial, the JUNO-nominated Cheng² Duo (pronounced Cheng Squared Duo) transfixes listeners through its impassioned expressivity, contagious joy, and a rare ability to forge instant and lasting connections with global audiences - critics have hailed their performances as “brilliant” (The Sunday Times, UK), “truly exhilarating” (The WholeNote, Canada), and “absolutely captivating…through a tremendous mastery of their instruments” (Pizzicato Magazine, Luxembourg).

Cellist Bryan Cheng, prizewinner of the 2023 Canada Council For the Arts’ Virginia Parker Prize and 2022 Verbier Festival’s Prix Yves Paternot, and pianist Silvie Cheng, 2022-23 Cecilia Concerts Musician-in-Residence and National Arts Club Artist Fellow, have been making music together for nearly their entire lives. Since officially forming the Cheng² Duo at their 2011 Carnegie Weill Recital Hall debut, their artistry has left lasting impressions across the globe, with extensive tours to illustrious concert halls and international festivals throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and South Africa.

In the vanguard of creative programming, Bryan and Silvie are equally committed to presenting traditional masterworks, rediscovering neglected repertoire, and championing the music of their time. Since 2013, they have commissioned and arranged 15 new works, as well as curated cross-disciplinary concert experiences that meld classical and contemporary music with jazz, poetry, and visual/media arts.

Cheng² Duo has released four critically-acclaimed albums, most recently Portrait (Centrediscs, 2023), which was nominated for a 2024 JUNO Award for “Classical Album of the Year - Small Ensemble”. Born in Ottawa and Tokyo to Chinese parents, Bryan and Silvie are proud Canadians who are currently based in Berlin and New York City.

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PROGRAM:
Nadia Boulanger: Trois Pièces
I. Modéré
II. Sans vitesse et a l'aise
III. Vite et nerveusement rythmé

Joaquín Nin: Seguida Española
I. Vieja Castilla
II. Murciana
III. Asturiana
IV. Andaluza

Alexander Glazunov: Chant du ménestrel, op. 71 and Sérénade espagnole, op. 20 no. 2

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Six Studies in English Folk Song
I. Adagio
II. Andante sostenuto
III. Larghetto
IV. Lento
V. Andante tranquillo
VI. Allegro vivace

Francis Poulenc: Cello Sonata, FP 143
I. Allegro - Tempo di Marcia
II. Cavatine
III. Ballabile
IV. Finale