The members of the American Piano Duo may live in different states and may not have much time to practice, but they're not worried.
Jeffrey Shumway, professor of piano for the School of Music, and Del Parkinson, a professor of piano at Boise State University will be performing on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall in the Harris Fine Arts Center.
The program, themed "Americana," will feature 20th century American composers as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln in the month of his 200th birthday, including pieces by Bernstein, Gershwin and Bolcom, as well as a "Yankee Doodle" variation by Dave Brubeck that Shumway said is a mismatch of every American song the composer could think of.
Shumway and Parkinson have been a team for more than 25 years and have released three albums together. They both received degrees from Indiana University and The Juilliard School and now teach at two different universities in different states.
"People are often surprised our ensemble is so together because we're not in the same place very frequently," Parkinson said. "We are just on the same wavelength. I can tell from the way he raises an eyebrow what he's going to do."
"We know how to read each other's cues," Shumway said. "We know each other's musical instincts; we know how to follow each other; we know how to keep together."
Parkinson noted, however, that it didn't take 25 years for them to become a great duo.
"It's been wonderful since day one," Parkinson said. "We can communicate without really needing words."
Buff Gardner, a financial services faculty member, said he has been a fan of the American Piano Duo since they were a quartet. Gardner said the duo's long relationship enhances their performance.
"You can tell they enjoy performing together and that they have a long history," Gardner said. "And that comes across as they play."
Both performers said the concert will have a musical selection that everyone will enjoy.
"It'll be a really fun, sparkling evening," Shumway said. "It's not a heavy classical concert. The music is really appealing."
What: American Piano Duo
When: Saturday Feb. 7, 7:30p.m.
Where: Madsen Recital Hall in the HFAC
Admission: Free
Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Feb 2009
